Chinese neurosurgeon elevates brain tumor care in Nepal
A neurosurgeon from the 15th batch of China’s medical aid team to Nepal is helping strengthen the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for brain tumor patients in Nepal. Dr Yang, who is affiliated with the Neurosurgery Department at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, is not just a renowned medical professional but also a passionate ambassador of health and friendship between China and Nepal.
Working closely with his counterpart, Dr Benju, at the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Dr Yang Jiankai has helped redefine the neurosurgical medicine landscape in Nepal. His dedication to both his field of expertise and the larger cause of international cooperation is truly commendable. As a neurosurgeon, he possesses extensive knowledge and skills in treating a wide range of neurological conditions. His surgical expertise and clinical acumen have saved countless lives and improved the quality of life for many patients.
The seasoned Chinese neurosurgeon’s stay in Nepal has been a testament to his dedication, not just to his medical expertise but to his understanding that elevating the standards of diagnosis and treatment for brain tumor patients necessitates not just technical exchanges but also cultural and ideological integrations. Through a multifaceted approach, he has empowered local medical professionals with advanced knowledge and skills.
He frequently invites neurosurgeons from China and organizes seminars where health professionals from the two countries hold discussions on the latest advancements in brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. Dr Yang’s hands-on guidance during surgical procedures and patient consultations has provided invaluable opportunities for Nepali doctors to witness and appreciate the Chinese neurosurgical techniques firsthand. His vision extends beyond the confines of the operating room. He has facilitated opportunities for Nepali doctors to visit health facilities in China, fostering stronger bonds of friendship and collaboration.
In September last year, Dr Benju who was participating in intellectual exchanges in Shandong, China, expressed keen interest in observing neurosurgical procedures in Chinese hospitals. Recognizing this as a valuable opportunity to enhance Dr Benju’s understanding of Chinese medical technology, Dr Yang reached out to Principal Li Gang and Neurosurgery Director Ni Shilei of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. He arranged for Dr Benju to observe several neurosurgical surgeries.
Commenting on the visit, Dr Benju said he was astounded by China’s rapid progress in neurosurgery. “Many of the neurosurgical procedures were entirely novel to me. I realized there is a vast array of neurosurgical techniques to master, and I sincerely hope for more opportunities to engage in exchanges and learning at Chinese hospitals,” he added. Moreover, Dr Yang has also been leading joint scientific research endeavors on neurosurgery between China and Nepal.
Through his multidimensional approach, Dr Yang has not only enhanced the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of Nepalese doctors in treating brain tumor patients but has also enriched himself with invaluable experiences and insights from his Nepali counterparts. Dr Yang’s vision is even broader. He believes that health is a shared concern of all nations, and cooperation in this field can greatly strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between countries. With this belief, he has made significant contributions to promoting health cooperation between China and Nepal.
He has participated in numerous medical missions and exchange programs with Nepal, sharing his expertise and learning from his Nepalese colleagues. He has also advocated for increased cooperation in areas such as training, research, and patient care, helping to bridge the gap in medical resources and capabilities between the two countries. His interactions with Nepali doctors, patients, and community members have not only strengthened his professional network but also deepened his understanding and appreciation of Nepalis culture and society.
How holy is Sagarmatha?
“How holy is Sagarmatha, Yuyu,” distinguished German photographer Andreas Stimm asked me as he returned from his seven-week trek in the Everest region. “And how precious silence of the mighty glaciers.”
Two decades ago, we had successfully collaborated on Nepal Trilogy, a 900-page poetry/panoramic photography book in b/w that captured the landscape of Everest, Helambu and Annapurna. Andreas spent a week at my residence, enjoyed Shreejana’s Dal Bhat, (‘a delicious poem’) and left for Helambu. A chance meeting him at the Frankfurt book fair in 2003 has turned into a lifelong friendship that celebrates the Himalayas in an exceptional way.
He took a Pathao cab to Kopan monastery, walked up and through the Shivapuri sanctuary, moved to Chisapani and entered Helambu. He reached Tarkegyang, went up the Ama Yangri Hill but couldn’t go any further to Langtang. Massive snow had covered the Ganja La Pass. He sent me photos of meeting the people we had featured in our Trilogy. “Everything has changed dramatically in two decades.” He thought even my poems on Helambu such as “The Roads are coming” have taken on a prophetic ring. The roads have actually arrived in the pristine valleys and brought with them a maelstrom of civilization—concrete, smoke, noise and greed:
The Himalayan cuckoo
Stops its song eternal, Khapal Pakyo!
And begins anew, changing its timeless refrain
Khapal Pakyo! Khapal Pakyo!
“The fruit has ripened!
The fruit has ripened! ripened…”
“The roads are coming!
The roads are coming! coming…”
(Nepal Trilogy, ‘Milarepa’s Bones’)
Trilogy content has turned into an archival artifact of mere historical relevance. “I can hardly recognize the areas I filmed then,” he lamented.
Laced with a tent, he walked on foot seven weeks 500 kilometers to revive his memories of Nepal he once knew. After Ama Yangri Hill, he walked around holy Panch Pokhari and went down into the Sun Kosi. Further eastward bound, he climbed over the hills from Gauri Shakar Himal, trudged down to Singati in the Tama Koshi valley. Then he walked east to reach Jiri, the former starting point of the classical Everest trek route. He followed the 3-pass route—Deurali, Lamjura La and Taksindu La down to the Everest Dudh Kosi and up to Namche Bazar which seemed as busy as Thamel in Kathmandu. His trek around the Everest loop with the 3 high passes, all over 5000 m altitude (Kongma La, Cho La & Renjo La) was the culmination of his trek. Over Namche Bazar, he walked out to Kari La pass, where nowadays it's possible to catch a jeep back to Kathmandu.
Andreas seemed shocked. “It’s very very busy,” he said, “and the citadels of silence have been smashed by the advent of roads.” The rocks are being exploded with dynamite to build roads. Giant caterpillars are busy all over, doing the nasty work for the greed of mankind.
“Scores of houses like you see here in Kathmandu have erupted,” he pointed to a cluster of concrete houses in Koteshwor. He believed Sagarmatha region looks more of a fun park than a national park. It’s not the famed way to ABC but a cluster of shanty settlements taking shape along the classical trek route. It’s more of an imitation of the Alps style of climbing infrastructure without any reasonable concern for ecology. Wide concrete passages with fancy railings have been constructed for people to come and walk confidently on the ego trip to the highest mountain in the world. This human ego, (that it’s there) is the most notorious thing one can imagine causing havoc on the world’s most delicate terrain.
“Material that has gone into Everest with the roads is very sensitive,” he discerned. Plastic windows, ceiling material that can stay there forever, plastic is running all over the area and there’s no treatment plant to control waste. In fact, in Europe, the traditional Nepali way of building mountain houses is becoming a popular practice. But sadly, the old style of building houses without the use of concrete and steel is getting outdated in Nepal. At higher altitude, the ultra violet rays are extreme. They destroy plastic that spreads with the intensity of a malady, polluting air and water. Himalayan silence is at stake as the advent of the internet has added its own senseless clamor in the quiet canyons. It gets worse with helicopters coming in and out of basecamp all the time.
“You can book a helicopter in a national park like you can book a taxi in Kathmandu is horrifying. Its instant booking details can be found in most of the Lodge menus. In a European national park, this sort would be unacceptable.”
“How holy, after all, is Sagarmatha, Yuyu? And how precious silence of the mighty glaciers.”
Cleaning made easy
Cleaning a home can be such an ordeal, especially during the dry season when everything tends to get dusty just a couple of hours after you have given it a good wipe-down. You wish you could close the windows but then the allure of a cross-breeze will tempt you to throw them wide open. Here are three simple hacks that can make keeping your house clean much easier than ever before. You will wish you had known them sooner.
Dust like a pro so that you don’t have to dust more
When dusting, start at the highest point and work your way down. As you dust, particles will fall, so if you dust lower shelves before upper shelves, you will probably find yourself having to go over those lower shelves again. Create a simple cleaning solution of one part vinegar, two parts water, a dash of liquid soap, and some olive oil and keep this in a spray bottle. Use this on your surfaces when dusting. This will repel dust and keep your surfaces clean for a longer period. You can also use baby oil to bring back the shine on wooden and steel surfaces. Just add a drop or two on a microfiber cloth and polish away.
Use a lint roller for hard-to-reach spots. You can use it to clean lampshades, upholstery, and curtains. Paintbrushes, in various sizes, can be great to clean the nooks and corners of small trinkets. When you are feeling extremely lazy to clean, put on a pair of socks on your hands and just run them over dusty surfaces like the window sill or the blinds.
Make your home smell nice to give an illusion of cleanliness
A great smelling home can feel welcoming and nice. It lends it an air of freshness, which can give the impression of cleanliness. Take a cotton ball, soak it in essential oil, and drop it in random places, including the trash bin (underneath the liner or the bag). This is an easy and inexpensive odor-fighter that helps keep your house fresh as well as your trash from getting too pungent. We recommend rose or lavender essential oil as these ones smell really great.
Alternatively, light scented candles or incense and keep them in various parts of the house. We don’t recommend air fresheners as these often have harsh chemicals that can mess with your hormones. Keep teabags in closets and other closed spaces that tend to give off a murky smell when they have been shut for too long. These are great to get rid of any trapped odor. If you aren’t a fan of scents, try to neutralize odor instead. Bags of activated charcoal in stench-prone areas, like the shoe cabinet or the laundry basket, can help.
Remember there’s pretty much nothing baking soda can’t do
Baking powder is a gentle abrasive and a great deodorizer. It’s the one item that you must have in your cleaning supplies. You can get tannin stains off teaspoons and the inside of cups by rubbing them with a paste made up of baking soda and a little water. Use it to absorb food odors by keeping a napkin soaked in it inside the fridge. You can clean countertops, kitchen sinks, microwaves, and pots with a paste made of baking soda, dish soap, and water. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, and even pet beds, leave it for 15 minutes and then vacuum thoroughly. To bring back the shine on your sterling silverwares, make up a paste (three parts baking soda to one part water) and apply with a soft cloth and then rinse.
Perfect summer reads
Summer is here and I couldn’t be more grateful for longer days and shorter nights but the heat makes me not want to do things. It kind of limits the things me and my husband can do during the weekend. Hikes are out of question. So are picnics or short trips around Kathmandu because of all the pollution.
I find it difficult to concentrate so I feel listless during our weekly movie nights. My husband doesn’t like it when either the fan or the air conditioner is on. The room feels oppressive even with the windows open. The only thing I can seem to focus on are, thankfully, books. But even there, it seems like I have a certain preference. And I found out that it wasn’t just me.
I was talking to some colleagues recently and, while on the subject of books, they mentioned certain books made summer heat more bearable. Or so it seemed. Long, tragic stories were out and fun, lighthearted books were in. All of us liked reading something upbeat to tackle the monotony. We started giving each other recommendations of what we had enjoyed over the past couple of weeks and I thought it made for such a great list that I decided to share it.
So, this week, I bring to you some summer book recommendations, guaranteed to make you not regret skipping that family lunch or a day out with your friends and instead enjoy lounging in bed with a tall glass of iced tea next to you. Since most people I meet tend to like reading physical books compared to e-books, I’ve only included ones that can easily be found at local bookstores in this list. The five books here will fill your days with cheer and put you in a good mood.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
This is Emily Henry’s debut novel that came out in 2020. Since then, she’s gone on to publish a few other works but ‘Beach Read’ is arguably the most popular. We meet January Andrews, a romance writer, when she is given a key to her father’s secret beach house—one that he shared with another woman during his marriage. January heads there with hopes of using the time to write her next novel while clearing out the house. She finds out her college rival, Augustus Everett, lives next-door. Gus is a ‘serious’ writer who thinks romance is fickle. Since both of them are struggling with their work, they strike a deal—January must write a ‘serious’ novel while Gus must come up with something with a happy ending. Read the book to find out where that leads them and be ready to be sucked up in their world.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Rachel Chu has no idea just how filthy rich her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, is, when she agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with him and attend a family wedding. The culture shock she gets when she meets his family is made worse by the fact that Nick happens to be one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors. Then there’s Eleanor, Nick’s mother. She has strong feelings about the kind of woman her son should marry, and Rachel doesn’t fit the bill. Reading ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ feels a little like watching an Indian television serial. It has all the glamor, drama, gossip, and scheming—just perfect for a hot summer weekend. It’s outrageously funny, addictive, and filled with moments that will make you gasp in awe and surprise.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
While we were talking about books to read this summer, a lot of fantasy recommendations came up. Books by Sarah J. Maas and Sabaa Tahir came up quite a few times. But the one I chose to include in this list is ‘Wicked’ because all of us agreed it had an old-world charm and made most of us nostalgic about our childhoods. As children, most of us have read ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Wicked is a retelling of that favorite childhood story but from the perspective of the evil witch. When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. In Wicked, you meet her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch. You find out where she came from and what made her who she is. It’s a stunning novel full of rich imagery that will hook you from the first page.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
I loved ‘Twilight’ when it first came out. The first book in a four-part series, Twilight, is a love story of Edward and Bella. Only Edward is a vampire and Bella is human. I know a lot of people hate this book. The writing is bad, they say. The story is so cliché, others add. But it’s guaranteed to take your mind off the heat because there is drama and suspense at every turn. It’s easy to put yourself in Bella’s shoes and be swayed by an idea of romance that is so insane that you wish for it to be true. An element of thrill is added when the vampire community considers Bella to be a threat and wants to end her. Twilight then shifts from a pleasantly chilling love story to a taut chase thriller. The tension levels escalate as Bella’s hunter closes in and the stakes for her survival become high.
The Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Though all the books on this list are light and fun, ‘The Confessions of a Shopaholic’ by Sophie Kinsella will have you in splits. Alternatively titled ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ the story follows Rebecca (Becky) Bloomwood who loves to shop. Whether she can afford it is another matter altogether. Becky is a financial journalist. She tells other people how to manage their money. In reality, she doesn’t have a grip on her finances. The answer to all her problems is retail therapy. She knows it’s not a good habit but she can’t stop. This gets her in messy situations which get even messier when she tries to find a way out of them. The Confessions of a Shopaholic is the first book in the series so there’s more in store for you if you feel like you haven’t had enough after reading the book.
