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Ang Tashi Sherpa is a rescue specialist who has been working for Simrik Airlines for the past 12 years. He has a number of successful rescue operations under his belt, including at Everest camp 2, Ama Dablam Camp 2, 3 Island Peak High Camp, and Manaslu. “Joining Simrik Air has been my right choice,” he says. “Here, I discovered my true calling, which is rescuing lives.”  Sherpa worked for a number of airlines before joining Simrik, which was founded in 2001 by a group of experienced aviation professionals. It was at Simrik that Sherpa met Nepal’s rotary-wing veterans and aviation rescue specialists like Capt. Rameshwar Thapa, Capt Siddartha Jang Gurung, Capt. Surendra Paudel, and Tshering Pande Bhote. With a solid track record and trustworthy services, Simrik Airlines has made a name for itself as one of the leading airlines. Sherpa says he is proud to be a part of one of the top helicopter service and rescue providers in Nepal.   “We have highly qualified and exceptional engineers and management team that is capable of not just providing safe and reliable transport and cargo delivery service, but also carrying out high altitude search and rescue missions, and medical evacuation,” says Sherpa. Born in the highlands of Solukhumbu, home to Mt Everest, Sherpa grew up in the laps of the Himalayas. He feels he has a special relationship with the mountains and its people.   In a way, Sherpa was destined to become a rescue specialist, which is not a job for the faint-hearted. Besides being brave, one also needs to be skilled in various disciplines and a great team worker to become a successful rescue specialist. The job requires courage, skill and team play in equal measures. “Courage and skill can only take you so far,” says Sherpa. “No rescue operation can be successful if you do not have a great ground staff and flight crew.”  In addition, he adds, training and maintenance of aircraft is also a critical aspect of a successful rescue mission. “You get all these at Simrik. We have highly professional staff members and top-notch resources.” Simrik Air collaborates internationally with Air Zermatt, a Swiss airline that routinely instructs rescuers in new procedures and techniques.  Sherpa recalls that as the rescue team had fewer members earlier, they had to travel to Switzerland for training.  “But now we have more rescuers, and Swiss trainers travel to Nepal to enhance our rescue operation capability,” he says.  Simrik makes sure to regularly orient its crew, employees, medical team, and rescue team in order to assure the customer’s safety and well-being. The company keeps its workers up to date on new tools and equipment by involving them in practical training exercises like Sling Operation and Long-line Operation Medical Evacuation, and many other flight services.  Besides exceptional and well-trained team members, Simrik Airlines also has high-performing helicopters like AS350B3E and BELL 407GXP, one of the newest models utilized in Nepal, which performs well even in high winds. “You don’t get this level of professionalism and service outside Simrik,” says Sherpa. “For example, Bambi bucket, which is an aerial fighting service was introduced and is solely with Simrik in Nepal.” Bambi bucket training sessions are frequently led by Simrik captains to give participants first-hand experience with the specialized tools used in water-based fire fighting operations.  Sherpa says Simrik holds the pioneer position in Nepal for holding great rescue operation equipment, cutting-edge aircrafts, vital operations like long line, sling lifting, and other flights with highly qualified and competent crew working in many sectors. Sherpa feels Simrik has prepared him and instilled the confidence to carry out rescue operations in any part of the country. But all rescue works are not alike. Sometimes, people lose their lives while waiting to be rescued, because rescuers cannot reach the site on time due to bad weather, or delayed paperwork from the government authorities.   Sherpa feels the government can do better when it comes to modernizing its system to issue permits for emergency rescue works. He says it is difficult to get the paperwork finalized for emergency rescue operations on restricted areas like Lomanthang and Nangbala.  “We do not get swift permission from the government to carry out an emergency rescue operation sometimes, which is tragic because this delay could be a matter of life and death,” says Sherpa.  “At Simrik, we do not consider hauling up lifeless bodies a successful mission.”  Sherpa and his colleagues at Simrik are in the business of saving and connecting lives. They wish the government to be equally invested.   

Commemorating the contribution of Nepali female political leaders Itihasko Harayeka Pana: The Tyranny of Exclusion, a photography exhibition was held at Patan Museum recently. The exhibition showcased around 90 photos of female political leaders. A historical chronology of leaders from Yogmaya Neupane to the recent leader Sobita Gautam. Historic photographs of Bidya Devi Bhandari in politics during her student days, Onsari Gharti Magar in People’s War; photos of Astalaxmi Shakya, Sahana Pradhan protesting outside the Singhadurbar; Mangala Devi addressing public in Tundikhel, Shailaja Acharya delegating in International conferences and many others were exhibited in the event. The exhibition also tried to cover various political movements that happened in different time periods in the country such as People’s Movement I, People’s Movement II, Tharu Movement, Terai Movement, Maoist Insurgency Period, where women were seen in action and power. Considering the historical oppression and current underrepresentation of women in governmental domains, the project aimed to challenge traditional narrative that often downplays their contributions and exhibited significant roles played by women in shaping the political landscape of Nepal. The exhibition was curated and organized by Mega Maskey, Abhijeet Adhikari and Satyam Shiva Mishra, with the support of Nepal Leadership Academy and International Republican Institute.

On March 5, Simrik Air conducted a daring operation in Langtang, rescuing a renowned Spanish paraglider, who was battling for life after suffering multiple fractures in a crash. The team consisting of pilot-in-command Captain Surendra Paudel, rescue specialist Tshering Pande Bhote, and technician Uttam Chaudhari rescued Xavier Bonet Dalmau from an elevation of 4,560 meters at the north-central Himalayan range. Airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, Dalmau is on a recovery path. This rescue operation shows the importance of a well-trained and well-equipped team in life-and-death situations like accidents in the rugged rugged terrains of Nepal. This is not the first instance of Simrik Air’s involvement in critical operations. On April 11, 2021, a Simrik Air heli team under the command of Captain Siddartha J Gurung, pilot-in-command Captain Paudel and comprising other experienced crew members doused a raging fire at the Shivapuri national park using the Bambi bucket, thereby averting a loss of life and properties. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment and aware of Nepal’s trying terrains like the Himalayas, Simrik Air is well aware of the importance of well-trained human resources in critical operations. In the first week of February 2023, it conducted a heli-training and orientation for the crew, staff, and medical team to prepare them better for rushing crucial assistance during natural and man-made disasters by enhancing their skills and expertise. Captain Gurung led a Bambi Bucket training session for helicopter pilots Capt Hare Ram Thapa and Capt Rajendra Duwal at Bojinee Dam in Nagarkot. The pilots learned the proper use and operation of this specialized tool. Simrik Air is the sole provider of this water-based firefighting service in Nepal, apart from Long-line operation and Sling operation and Yak Winch. Simrik Air also offered realistic engagement training options such as Recco, Yak Winch, Sling Operation, Long-line Operation, Medical Evacuation, and management training to keep the staff up-to-date and maintain safety, efficiency, and consistency in service. Captain Bimal Sharma and Captain Bhaskar Pokharel were trained on this. Crew members Ang Tashi Sherpa, Tshering Dhenduk Bhote, Tshering Pandey Bhote and Sonam Bhuti also received training during these sessions, conducted under the supervision of instructor and trainer from Germany and Switzerland Bruno Jelk, Daniel Brunner and Beat Marti. This kind of training is crucial for saving lives and properties during natural and manmade disasters like flooding, fires and mountaineering accidents because the state alone is not adequately equipped in dealing with such contingencies.  

The United Nations is celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day under the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality this year. Sabitri Dhakal of ApEx caught up with some of the women, who have made their marks in different sectors. They shared their triumphs, tribulations and plans for the big day. Ayasha Shakya, taekwondo player The day brings attention to the women’s rights movement, gender equality issues, women’s reproductive rights and women’s achievements in various fields. But rather than recognizing women and their work on this particular day, it would be better if we could celebrate their works and achievements each day. Everyone in the society, be it the children, adults or the elderly should recognize the works and understand that women are special and can achieve like men. I have no plans for the Day as I am recovering from an injury. The day makes the woman at least feel good because it is a holiday for them. People should understand that women too need rest and time.    Muna Ghimire Shrestha, heavy equipment operator People have stereotypes about women. They think women are weak and cannot handle machines. If given proper education and training, there is no such work that a woman cannot do. The works should not be stereotyped. On this women’s day, I encourage Nepali women to learn skills and work for their economic independence rather than going abroad, only to face difficulties. If you work hard, success will follow you. I think the celebration of this big day is city-centric. To address the issues of women, the voices of women living in rural areas should also be heard. If we can bring to light the issues of women living in rural areas, then the real problem of women will be visible. The problems facing women should be discussed and resolved through policy intervention.   Jaya Dhakal Guragain, principal, educator The works done by women should be recognized and honored. There should be support for a woman from all – family, colleagues and colleagues. Though things are changing for the better, the challenges facing women still remain. Being in the profession mostly handed by men, I feel there are challenges facing a woman at the workplace. Unsupportive colleagues are the main problems. I have experienced competitive feelings in males when a woman reaches a leadership position. Also people try to humiliate a female if she is in a leadership position because they cannot stand it. But one must not be deterred.  Instead of celebrating the day and recognizing women’s work, if colleagues, family and society become helpful for women, they can achieve much more in life. Also there should be a proper and equal pay scale for women. I will be celebrating the day staying at home, giving time for myself. Rabina Shrestha, math teacher Mathematics has been described as a difficult subject. I grew up hearing that a girl cannot solve math problems like a boy. But I was always interested in mathematics and thought of making a career by teaching the subject. There is a stereotypical thinking that a female teacher cannot handle teenage children at school. But it is not so. If you have proper teaching skills and knowledge about the subject matter, you can effectively handle the classroom. Celebrating the International Women’s Day is acknowledging the works and achievement of women and highlighting the issues of women. There should be equality and no discrimination on the basis of gender.   Dr Sangeeta Mishra, women’s health activist Women’s health has been ignored in the country. We have not been talking about issues like gender-based violence and mental health of women. All these issues inspired me to work as a woman health activist. Being a woman in the male dominating profession is challenging. There are rooms filled with males and you will be the single woman in the room. They expect you not to speak. But you can’t sit without speaking. But when you speak, they don’t take you seriously. If you try to enforce some of the ideas, then you are labeled as being a man. You face different levels of challenges once you reach a certain position. There is an unseen glass ceiling but one must break it. Women should be included in decision-making and forming policies, including those related to women. If we are to change the lives of women, we should work from zero. We are looking for women who can talk and work, while there are very few such women. Women, who can speak for the unseen women, are lacking. We celebrate women’s day every year under different themes. We must work the whole year on such themes to bring changes in the lives of women. The women must face direct competition. I will be working for a conference on women’s health on the big day. Bhoj Kumari Shahu, chef Though cooking in the households is done mostly by women, cooking in restaurants and hotels is done by men. This is because of the lack of faith in women’s capabilities. I was encouraged by my brother to study hotel management. I got interested in cooking and also took training. Working in a kitchen with 75 males was challenging for me. People speak rough words, touch you knowingly/unknowingly. But if you want to carry on, you need to adjust and act like a man. You can’t give excuses every time. You must work together.   The message I would like to give to women is look at women who have challenged the stereotypical society and work to bring changes. Gyanu Adhikari, writer I used to be excited about International Women’s Day earlier. I used to feel that it would inform people about women’s issues and rights. Looking at the current scenario, I feel the information has not reached the country’s targeted population. We have not been able to raise awareness on the issue. I think the issues should be dealt with as per the geographical locations because we can’t decide everything from Kathmandu. There are multiple challenges for women when it comes to working with men. There is male ego. They don’t show it but it can be felt in their behavior. Women are still considered secondary. We need to work together with men. Avoiding them or running away from them won’t help. The women must show their skills and potential; only then will people believe them. Women can reach higher positions if they work hard. Archana Aryal, homemaker Being a homemaker is challenging. You need to take care of your children, manage finances, take responsibilities and give up your career. Homemaking was my choice. Seeing my children grow up, I feel satisfied. But the society does not regard the household chores as proper work. I think women’s work inside houses should be acknowledged. They are never paid and acknowledged for the work they do. If the families just share the burden of household chores, I think many women will heave a sigh of relief. I have no specific plans for the day. It will just be a normal day for me.