Quick questions with SUNNY MANANDHAR (Guitarist, Albatross)
Q. In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
A. Humble, honest and kind.
Q. A common misconception about you?
A. People think I am brutal going by my looks but I am very soft-hearted. Don’t judge a book by its cover
Q. Question that you wish people would stop asking?
A. Everyone went “Oh my god! You are so thin,” when I lost a little bit weight. Then they go “Oh my god! You’re so fat.” when I gained a little bit weight. It’s very offending.
Q. Words that keep you motivated?
A. More than words, love and affection keep me on my toes.
Q. What would your ideal weekend comprise of?
A. Some quality time with my wife and my loved ones, away from the noise in a quiet place.
Q. Best possession?
A. All of my guitars.
Q. If you could have three of your wishes granted, what would they be?
A. I would ask for three more wishes and, again, another set of wishes and more wishes, so I can use all of them at my own will. hehe
Quick questions with Nikita Chandak
Q. Three adjectives to describe yourself.
A: Sensitive, honest and lazy
Q. Three qualities you seek in your friends.
A: I think it’s the vibe that connects me with someone and once we become friends, I only expect loyalty.
Q. A question you wish people would stop asking.
A: There used to be a question—“Are you an Indian?” But no one has asked me that for quite a long time now. So there’s no question as such right now.
Q. Words you live by.
A: At this particular moment of my life, the words I am living by is, “I want to be happy and feel peaceful at mind in anything I do.”
Q. Celebrity crush.
A: No one at the moment.
Q. An advice you would like to give to your younger self.
A: “In the end, everything will be fine and it will be the way it is supposed to be. Just keep going.” This is the advice I would like to give not only to my younger but to my present self also.
Public parks more about priority than budgeting
How important is open space for urban areas?
It is very important. We saw that during the 2015 earthquakes. We also need open spaces to organize sports programs and mass gatherings. In the past we were not able to do much urban planning. But now we are working to set aside at least 5 percent of total city area as open spaces.
Can’t barren open spaces, the few that are still left, be turned into public parks?
Public parks need to be spacious and suitable for all age groups, and they should be disabled-friendly. They should also have amenities such as public toilets and drinking water. Narayan Chaur in Naxal, for example, even has a system to recycle rainwater.
Out of total area of Kathmandu valley, how much is open space?
Around 39 percent of the valley is covered by forests whereas houses have been built on 17 percent area. Urbanization is encroaching on agricultural land, not the areas covered by the forests. So the valley’s forests are largely intact. Also, we have specified that for a land larger than 8 aanas (254.37m2), up to 60 percent of the area can be taken up by the house. Land smaller than 8 aanas should can have up to 70 percent area covered by the house.
Why can’t the vast open spaces at Tinkune for instance be turned into a green space?
Sometimes it is hard to evict people from a piece of land even after giving them due compensations. Talking about the open space at Tinkune, it is partly privately-owned. Some locals are unhappy with the amount of compensation they are getting, and so the case is currently under the purview of the Supreme Court. Other challenges include poor budget allocation and distribution and lack of coordination among local authorities.
Is budget shortfall a hindrance to building of green spaces?
It is more about government priority than budgeting. If the government deems is necessary there will be no problem in mobilizing the budget. It can also invite the private sector. The parks can also be made with the help of local community members, for the benefit of that community. So rather than the budget it is about prioritization and government mindset.
Are there any new plans for creating open spaces?
Not immediately but we have a vision to create four cities in four corners of Kathmandu valley. The demand for public parks is high. There is prospect for green spaces around Tri-Chandra College area and Chhauni if we relocate the college and army barracks respectively. Relocating some governmental bodies could also free up much-needed open spaces.
As you pointed out, lack of open spaces was keenly felt during the 2015 earthquakes. But there are fewer open spaces now compared to 2015.
Yes, this is happening because the services are centralized. We have centrally located educational institutions, medical services and entertainment facilities. That is why our city is densely populated and there is lack of open space in city center. But if you go by statistics, only 17 percent area of the valley is covered by houses.
Just for the sake of open space, people cannot be expected to live in outskirts of the valley, can they?
That is why we have come up with the vision of four cities around the valley. The goal is to reduce congestion by providing quality services and facilities in these smaller settlements are well. The old city will remain as it is but people won’t necessarily have to be there to be able to benefit from modern-day facilities.
Where will the four cities be located and how long before they come into being?
The three small cities will take three years and one big city will take about four years. The small cities of around 5 million square meters will be built around the Gundu-Balkot area, Bhainsepati-Bungmati area and Naya Buspark-Jhor area, respectively. Likewise, the big city of around 50 million m2 will be built around Changu Narayan municipality, Sankharapur municipality, Kageshwori-Manahara municipality and Thimi municipality.
How do you see green spaces evolving in Kathmandu valley?
The areas for green spots will remain intact. The government is aware of its importance and working to protect open public spaces. Also, for the private sector, our new plans have better specifications regarding open spaces in private property. Hopefully, all these efforts will lead to more open public spaces.
Photos by Pritam Chhetri
Quick questions with ADRIAN PRADHAN
Q. In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
A: Passionate, sensitive and humorous.
Q. A common misconception about you?
A: People fear me thinking I’m a very serious–natured character, which I’m not.
Q. Question that you wish people would stop asking?
A: Why we named the band 1974 AD.
Q. Words that keep you motivated?
A: “Legends”; when our fans honor us with this word, it motivates us the most.
Q. What would your ideal weekend look like?
A: Sleep till late, indulge in wife’s cooking, movie evenings. Hike or trek, if outdoors.
Q. Best possession?
A: My greatest possession is my “music”.
Q. If you could wish for three things, what would they be?
A. 1. A leader who could lead Nepal and Nepalis.
2. That peace be prevail in the whole world.
3. And that we were not on an earthquake zone. Lol.....
