And I hear you calling!

The moment I was offered an invitation to the Kasara Highway Cycle Riding tour, I was excited and accepted it. I am always looking forward to new experiences and challenges. The tour aimed to combine cycling and wildlife safari in Chitwan.

The cycling tour kicked off from Baluwatar, Kathmandu to Kasara Jungle Resort, Chitwan covering 172 kilometres. The journey started on September 18, and we returned on September 20, 2015. I had no prior experience in cycling as an adventure sport and I did not even own a bicycle! The organisers arranged  a brand new cycles for the entire team.
It was a small team of seven cyclists and I was the only female rider in the team. We also had two photographers who followed us in an escort vehicle. The General Manager of Kasara Jungle Resort, Yadav Bantawa ensured that it was a lifetime experience.
Day 1: Challenging and satisfying
My father dropped me to the Kasara office Baluwatar at 5:45 am, when I reached there all the cyclists were already geared up for the ride. I was excited as well as nervous as it was the first time I was cycling such a long distance. We set off from the office premises at around 6 am. It was a herculean task to peddle in the city. However, I felt protected as I was escorted and guided by other cyclists.
Taking some tea breaks in between we reached Riverside Springs Resort, Kurintar for brunch. The view from the resort was spectacular and refreshing. After brunch we again geared up for the ride. The trails from Nagdhunga to Chitwan are around 50 per cent downhill and 50 per cent uphill. It was a challenge for cyclists to peddle up in the scorching heat on the bumpy highway. However, we kept on peddling until we reached our destination. It was quite an achievement to complete the entire ride and we were all very proud of ourselves.
We reached the resort at about 7:30 pm and were welcomed by two grand elephants and the Kasara team. After gulping down energising herbal drinks we headed to our respective rooms to freshen up. We then gathered in the restaurant for a scrumptious dinner! We feasted on a traditional thali which consisted of chicken curry, vegetables, rice and other dishes and rounded up our meal with brownies.
Exhausted and satisfied I headed to my room for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2: Simple luxury and retreat
I woke up early to the sound of a chirping bird. I was surrounded by greenery and the room consisted of minimalist design that inculcated traditional local materials and architectural heritage. Kasara is built on the theme of openness and water.
After a hearty breakfast, Bantawa showed me around the remarkable jungle resort. There was a bar which could be turned into a dance floor, restaurant and so on. There are around 35 rooms in the
resort, a swimming pool and two VIP villas with private swimming pools. It has a large conference hall, yoga room and spa. The day was eventful as we went to bathe the elephant and tree plantation in Madi village was followed by a Tharu dance in the evening. Kasara initiated to plant 500 trees in Madi village and we joined hands to promote environmental conservation. We ended the day in fun and frolic; singing, playing the guitar and enjoying the music.
Day 3: Reflection and renewal
On the final day I woke up at 5:30 am and we headed out for an elephant safari in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park. It was a pleasant experience to travel through the mesmerising forest and observe the prized one-horned rhinoceros. Other animals that we saw were spotted and hog deer, various breeds of colourful and unique birds.
The elephant ride made me realise how lucky we are to be born in a country where the mighty Himalayas can be viewed from the plain terrains of Tarai. After we returned from the safari we all had a quick breakfast, packed our bags and boarded the bus back to Kathmandu.
Overall it was a great experience at Kasara. The staffs were friendly and the food was delicious. The resort is a must visit for nature lovers. This tour gave me an opportunity to reflect upon my bond with nature. The journey introduced me to cycling and interesting people along the way. It made me recognise my personal endurance, strength and weakness. It has taught me a lesson that you just have to have the courage and there will be supporting hands along the way to help you get closer to your goals!
Keep peddling and keep moving!

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KASARA at a glance

Where: Chitwan National Park
Activities: Cycling, elephant safaris and elephant bathing, jeep safaris, nature walks, bird watching, swimming, Tharu village tour and Tharu cultural dance.

Accommodation: 35 upscale rooms with private water garden courtyards and two VIP villas with a private infinity plunge pools.
Facilities: Spa, Confrence Hall, Yoga Hall, Bar, Restaurant
Contact: Head Office Baluwatar, 01-4437571, 01-4438570

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Verdict

Kasara Jungle Resort is a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers. The minimalist architectural design, friendly staff and knowlegeable naturalists add to the beauty of the resort. Right from the herbal welcome drink to the final meal all the delicacies served were scrumptious. Every moment at Kasara was delightful!

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A version of this article appears in print on October 01, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.

Emergence of an industry

E- commerce companies gaining popularity but not making substantial profits industry insight

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu
T he global e- commerce market is gigantic. It is a trillion dollar industry that has shown significant growth of 20 per cent in 2015 and is estimated to grow by double digit in the coming years according to e marketer, a digital market research company. There are 12 to 24 million e- commerce stores worldwide as per global statics at Internet Retailer.
The growth of e- commerce industry around the globe and the advent of technology have influenced local entrepreneurs to start online business in Nepal. However, e- commerce is not yet recognised as a proper industry in Nepal and it faces several hurdles.
Capital centric market The market size of the country is limited and Capital centric. According to a report by Kaymu, 53 per cent of e- commerce activity prevails in Kathmandu followed by Biratnagar, Pokhara and Bharatpur with 23 per cent, eight per cent and three per cent respectively. According Bharat Adhikari, Managing Director, Rojeko. com, this is the prime reason why e- commerce companies are not able to attract investors.
Lack of proper infrastructure “ Transportation, lack of proper roads, networks, communication infrastructure and internet connection availability is a hindrance to e- commerce industries,” says Nitish Sharma, Head of Sales, Kaymu. He adds, “ Even if our services were available in 15 cities it would be quite difficult for us to reach these places due to lack of proper infrastructure.” Dark hours and lack of fuel The ongoing fuel crisis and power cut has obviously had an impact on the e- commerce industry. “ Delivering goods out of the valley has been a huge challenge for us resulting in limited sales in other cities,” says Adhikari. Similarly, Kaymu has also been struggling with sales as there are limited products that are available in the market. Urban Girl ( UG) and other such online business ventures have resorted to using bicycles for delivering goods.
Touch and feel factors “ Majority of the population is yet to adapt to the trend of online shopping,” says Sharma. According to him, consumers’ still like to bargain and hesitate to make a purchase unless they physically check the colour, size and quality of the products.
Further, consumers’ are also not familiar with online payment systems. According to report by Kamyu, 85 per cent of e- commerce users prefer cash on delivery. The remaining transact through digital payment gateway ( e- sewa, iPAY et cetera ).
Only one percent use credit/ debit cards for direct payment.
Growth of sales on special occasions There is significant growth in sales during special ocassions such as New Year, Dasain , Tihar , Valentine’s Day and such. On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, e- commerce sites such as giftmandu, Muncha, Mero Shopping, Urban Girl and many others have placed special gift items such as couple t- shirts, flowers, soft toys, jewelleries and the like to boost sales.
E- commerce is here to stay Despite the challenges, the new generation of entrepreneurs is inclined towards vibrant online businesses and the emergence of e- commerce business cannot go unnoticed.
“ Even though the marketplace for e- commerce is still in its nascent phase in Nepal, it holds a great potential.
Despite the ongoing crisis people have income to spend and they search for a marketplace where they can find the best deals,” says Sharma.
He says that a year ago when Kaymu entered the market there were only a few sales per day.
However, today despite the crisis, there are more than 300 sales per day.
Nikita Acharya, CEO of UG says, “ Youth these days do not have much time to visit stores, they spend most of their time online so they are more likely to shop off the internet.” The population from 16 to 40 are comparatively more tech savvy and prefer to shop online than the older generation, she claims. UG is in operation since 2012 and delivers accessories, gift items and customised cakes through online platforms and social media.
She says that in the previous three years she has observed a change in the buying behaviour of customers.
Initially she had to teach consumers’ the correct way of shopping online.
However, this is not the case today as consumers’ efficiently find their own way through.
Adhikari says, “ We are in the digital age and e- commerce is here to stay and grow despite the challenges.” Most of the businesses have integrated with online platforms to reach target consumers’ and businesses that have not yet used e- commerce could be left out, according to him.
(The printed version of this article was published in The Himalayan Times- Perspectives on February 7, 2016)

Radiating hope and kindness

“When you do something you love, it does make a difference in the world”

Compassionate, creative and passionate, Prerana Shah has lived life fully on her own terms. She currently works as the Managing Director of Sigma Interiors and is a Yoga instructor too. Sigma interiors is a family run business that pioneered the selling of rattan furniture 40 years ago. In 2010 she initiated Devoted Radical Environment Animal Movement Society ( DREAMS), an organisation that takes care of stray animals especially cows and oxen. The social entrepreneur has always been interested in working for the environment and animals.
Talking about her business, she says, “ Sigma Interiors is close to my heart because it was initiated by my grandfather. Moreover, rattan furniture is more eco friendly than wooden furniture.” She adds, “ We are the pioneers in Nepal to offer unique, hand- crafted furniture from around the world.” Apart from her family business she is active as a yoga instructor.
According to her, as a child she loved sports and played basketball and was always found outdoors. She was inclined to fitness and yoga since the age of 16. She started teaching yoga in 2015 and now she aspires to travel the world as a meditation guru and a yoga instructor.
She says, “ My biggest achievement is that I have been able to give hope and better health to people through yoga and meditation.” She adds that yoga has taught her to spread positive vibes, happiness and radiance. She says that these days people are more interested in getting fitter and healthier than ever before. This has attracted many people to yoga and meditation. It is a holistic approach that nourishes the body, mind and soul.
She turned into a vegetarian 12 years back and four years ago she became a complete vegan. Her compassion and empathy towards animals led her to live her life as a vegan.
She says, “ I felt like a hypocrite because I loved animals and at the same time consumed them.” She adds, “ I would really appreciate if more people saw animals as another soul. Veganism solves environmental as well as health problems.” According to her, it is not only a way of life but also a means to reduce environmental problems that exists globally.
Shah is now writing a book about her experiences as a vegan so that it can help more people to truly understand the benefits of it. She shares that it is her way of expressing gratitude to the universe.
Shah, who stands 5 feet 10 inches tall, has also lived her life as a renowned and a humble beauty queen. In 2002 she represented her college in Miss Teen and was the second runner up. Similarly, the following year she was crowned Miss Nepal, first- runners up and represented Nepal in Miss Asia Pacific in the same year. She was among the top 10 contestants in the international contest. She recalls, “ It was a wonderful opportunity for me to step out and learn new things.” Shah is also passionate about music and has launched her album ' Prerana' . With her larger than life personality she has inspired people to pursue their dreams. She says that her father has been her greatest mentor and supporter. She has had many people who have inspired her to pursue her dreams.
According to Prerna, she wants to live a meaningful life and contribute to the society. She shares that her dream is to do something that would have a positive impact in the world and for which the world would remember her. “ You live a purposeful life when you do what you truly want. When you do something that you love, it does make a difference in the world,” she says.

Government seems unconcerned economic problems about

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu

T he economy is in tatters. After suffering the massive earthquake in April 2015 the ongoing political deadlock and economic blockade is creating havoc with the economy and worsening things for the country.
The private sector had pinned its hopes on the new constitution which was promulgated on September 20, 2015. However, the economic situation worsened sharply due to the protests and disruption in supply of essential goods. Even today there is an acute shortage of fuel and other basic amenities.
Impact on every sector “ The economic blockade is causing severe damage in the financial system, more serious than the earthquake and its aftermath.
There is only 30 per cent of occupancy in hotels; trade and commerce is adversely affected, construction and development projects are halted and agriculture is facing a major deadlock,” said Prof Dr Bishwambher Pyakuryal.
Supply disruption and the fuel crisis that began on September, 2015 has led to the shutdown of 90 per cent of industries all over the country. More than 60 per cent of business that takes place during the festive season also failed to take off. The agricultural sector that employs more than 70 per cent of the population today also faced challenges, first because of the earthquake and later due political unrest and economic depreciation.
Upendra Poudyal, President of Nepal Banker’s Association, said that both the government revenue collection and expenditure has decreased due to the ongoing crisis. He said, “ The government has not been able to invest in development projects due to obstruction in the supply of construction materials. This has a direct impact on credit flow and employment opportunities.” “ The energy sector is mismanaged and the country cannot develop if the energy sector fails to function properly,” said Er Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, Chairman, Energy Committee FNCCI. “ The government claims it will end power cut within one year but this is not feasible at all,” he said.
Talking about the inefficiency of the government, he questioned, “ Is there even a government in our country?” He further recommended that a team of experts in every sector be brought together to formulate and plan the strict execution The Financial Comptroller General Office reports that the government in the first six months of the current fiscal year was able to spend only 7.18 per cent of the total capital expenditure budget.
Pashupati Murarka, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries ( FNCCI), said, “ It seems that the government is not serious about mitigating the political turmoil that has severely hindered economic activities. We have been continuously lobbying with the government to make a commitment to relieve businesses from the difficult predicament they are finding themselves in due to political unrest.” He estimates that it will take around five to 10 years for the economy to recover completely. He said, “ The economy can bounce back to normal only if a safe and secure business environment is ensured and market regulated strictly.” Tourism decline The tourism sector provided 3.5 per cent of total employment by generating 4,87,000 jobs in 2014 and attracted approximately 8,00,000 tourists, according to World Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC) and research partner Oxford Economics.
However, the massive disaster and continuous political strife has decreased tourist arrivals to 4, 00,000, which is a sharp decline.
DB Limbu, Immediate Past President of Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( NATTA), said, “ Given the fuel crisis, it is difficult for us to retain whatever limited number of tourists we have left today. It seems that resolving the political unrest is the only concern of the government at the moment.
They may have a recovery plan but is yet to show any urgency to help the tourism sector,” he said.
Heading towards stagflation The inflation rate which was within single digits till October, 2015 was reported to be 10.4 in November, 2015. The most recent NRB report puts inflation at 11.6 per cent. This has led to a steep rise in the cost of food items, clothing materials, educational fees and other daily necessities. Citing the negative impact of inflation, Pyakuryal said, “ Double digit inflation economic growth indicates stagflation and hyper inflation.” He explained that hyper inflation is a condition where price increases are so out of control that the concept of inflation is meaningless.
Similarly, stagflation is a situation caused by slow economic growth and high unemployment accompanied by inflation and decline in Gross Domestic Product.
Normally, inflation can be controlled if the growth of money supply is contracted. This can be done by decreasing bond prices and increasing the interest rates.
However, during hyper inflation this policy does not work.
Pyakuryal added, “ In a situation of hyper inflation the growth percentage in the prices of goods and services cannot be calculated. The cost solely depends on the sellers and there are no fair market prices at all.” He said black marketing has a huge adverse impact on the economy as it does not contribute, in any way, to the real economy.
What needs to be done? Considering the hardships faced by the private sector, Nepal Rastra Bank ( NRB) announced relief packages on borrowings. The central bank also waived charges imposed by banks and financial institutions ( BFIs) on delay in loan repayment till mid- January, 2016 ( second quarter of the current fiscal).
According to reports, banks and financial institutions can arrange their loan- loss provision accordingly, which means no additional loan- loss provision will be needed till the second quarter.
According to Poudyal, the financial sector should now focus on the development of industries that have a comparative advantage over giant global economies. He said, “ We cannot compete with other countries in terms of large manufacturing industries. Our emphasis should definitely be on small and medium scale enterprises ( SMEs) that are agro- based, the energy sector, tourism sector and other entrepreneurial ventures.” He said that the focus should be on investment in SMEs because they have the potential to turn into large scale industries that can benefit the economy in the long run.
The economy of the nation is import based and now, more than ever, it must convert to becoming production oriented.
Political crisis and fuel and energy shortages crippling economy Illustration: Ratna Sagar Shrestha / THT “ The government claims it will end power cuts within one year but this is not feasible at all.” Er Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, Chairman, Energy Committee, FNCCI “ The government has not been able to invest in development projects due to obstruction in the supply of construction materials. This has a direct impact on credit flow and employment opportunities.” Upendra Poudyal, President, Nepal Banker’s Association “ It seems that the government is not serious about mitigating the political turmoil that has severely hindered economic activities.” Pashupati Murarka, President, FNCCI

(The printed version was published in The Himalayan Times- Perspectives, January 24, 2016.)

Life revolves around work

Visualise it and then achieve it
Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu

Kanchan Prasad Kharel, President of YUWA, youth led and run organisation, has worked towards incubating youth leaders in various sectors.
He completed his Master’s in Development Studies from Kathmandu University and at present he is also involved with Thames International College as a faculty.
Kharel started his career as a youth coordinator of Kathmandu Youth Network, Amnesty International Nepal in 2007 and since then there is no turning back for him.
He describes himself as a pragmatist and is determined to develop youth leadership through social movements and mentorship.
Talking about his vision about YUWA he says, “ The initial focus of the organisation was to develop leadership skills of youths or to get them trained as an adv o c a t e f o r change.” He further says, “ Young people are not the future of the nation, they are the power to drive positive change in the nation at present.” According to him, youth have the energy and innovative ideas to lead any area, be it business or politics or any other sector.
However, majority of the youth are misled and hesitate to express their opinions. “ Youth need proper mentorship, which I have experienced is lacking in this nation,” he shares. Innovative ideas can become a reality in the presence of appropriate support and guidance. He emphasises that mentorship and proper guidance for youth is important than idealistic advice.
Kharel shares that he was always interested in research and education.
As an educator he believes in breaking the age old one way lecturing.
He believes that students can learn better when they can connect the classroom learning to the real world. He encourages students to visualise and create a picture of the subject matter.
He says, “ I persuade them to create a picture of a prosperous community if I am teaching them about development.
I promote lear ning through story development.” Moreover, he provides contemporary case studies and mater ial s to make the subject matter relevant as per him.
Kharel was invited as a key note speaker by Ministry of Youth and Sports, Nepal at the launching ceremony of ‘ Nepali Youth in Figures’, a comprehensive youth data published for the first time in Nepal. He has received formal appreciation from Amnesty International Nepal, for his contributions. He has been awarded for maximum membership development among all Amnesty International’s youth Networks in Nepal. Further he is recognised by National Human Rights Foundation for the contribution in its campaign ‘ Right to education’. The dynamic personality visited the US at the invitation of the US State Department for a month to participate in International Leadership Visitors Programme ( IVLP). He led the delegates of Nepali researchers to international conference on ‘ Resilience, Coping and Hope’ in India. He was one of the four government official delegate for the finalisation of SAARC Youth Charter in Maldives. These are some of his exemplary achievements, however, he places encouraging other young leaders as his greatest accomplishment.
Hardworking and energetic Kharel, has always placed work at the centre and has also motivated his peers and mentees to do so.
YUWA empowers youth to participate in glocal issues, sustainable and intergenerational partnership. He has worked with youth who had no work experience at all and helped them build networks and perspective on leadership. Now he is mostly willing to work with young professionals and help them sharpen their leadership and business skills.

(The printed version of this article was published in The Himalayan Times Perspectives on March 20, 2016)

Great disconnect in tackling energy crisis   NEA must function as a business entity and government must walk the talk   Abhilasha Rayamajhi Kathamandu  I t is an irony that despite being endowed with tremendous hydropower potential, Nepal is facing an acute energy crisis. At present, daily 13 hours of power cut is the sad reality of the nation. The government claims it will prioritise the energy sector and promises to end load shedding within a year by declaring an energy emergency and executing policies by fast track. However, stakeholders do not believe that the government is serious or actually intends to walk the talk. The failure of the energy emergency declared in 2008 and the inefficiency of the government has led the public to lose trust in such commitments. Sujit Acharya, Chairperson of Energy Development Council ( EDC) claims, “ It seems the most inefficient and uneducated people are in the Nepal government and top levels of management in Nepal Electricity Authority ( NEA).” According to him, “ the development of the hydropower sector has been disrupted mainly due to the bureaucracy and government officials themselves working for their selfish motives rather than national interest.” PPA problems Acharya presented the three key obstacles to development of the hydropower sector. He pointed out that the government of Nepal plans to announce the signing of Power Purchase Agreement ( PPA) in US Dollars for foreign investors in the upcoming Energy Crisis Mitigation Plan but refuses to sign cheaper PPA for Nepali developers. “ Signing dispatchable PPA means that NEA will purchase electricity only at the time of need. Banks and financial institutions will never finance hydropower projects with such PPA because it is risky to invest in projects that do not guarantee revenue,” he said. Therefore, hydropower projects developed by the Nepali private sector have been blocked, according to him. Bureaucratic hurdles Secondly, he stressed that the bureaucracy and red tape in the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation was a problem. “ The Ministry requires hydropower developers to pay a fee for its contribution to conserve trees,” he stated during his presentation. While around 78 per cent of the population in Nepal still depends on firewood for fulfilling their energy needs, he said, “ The ministry requires Nepali developers who rent land for 30 years to pay a rental fee and also provide an equivalent amount of land that it has rented.” In order to rent this land and cut down trees a cabinet decision is required which takes approximately two years at the least. He claimed that the department of forest further intentionally delays project development by not even looking at the land or presenting problems for the land selected by the developer. Complacent and confusing Thirdly, he highlighted obstacles created by the Ministry of Land Reform and Management. He said, “ The ministry applies the land ceiling rule of 75 ropanis to hydropower projects in the same manner as to individual traders. Then it takes another one to two years to get further approvals.” The land acquisition, land ceiling for generation, transmission and distribution of licenses is also a lengthy and uncertain process. The problem is that there is lack of collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Land Reform and Management and the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, which has led confusion and lack of efficiency in development of the hydropower sector. In such a confusing situation Acharya questioned the seriousness of the Prime Minister, who recently stated that load shedding will end in a year, wondering if those in government understood the complexities of these problems and how the government itself is the biggest obstacle. Inefficiency of NEA As per energy experts, NEA has suffered from huge losses and its inefficiency is also one of the main causes for the energy crisis. They recommend that political interference by the government be eliminated for NEA to recover its losses and perform as a business entity. The energy sector is also mismanaged because the need for unbundling production, transmission and distribution functions are yet to be addressed. Khadga Bahadur Bisht, President of Independent Power Producer’s Association Nepal ( IPPAN) said, “ We have recommended 16 points to the government which includes incentives to private sector, development of single desk approval and one- window policies.” He said that if the government is serious about solving the energy crisis it must address these most important issues immediately. Only then can a reduction in the long hours of load shedding be controlled in the country. According to Nakarmi, “ In the short term it is advisable to import from India, however in the long run we must develop hydro power projects in Nepal. NEA and the government must be separated, NEA must function as a business entity and the government should only set policies and facilitate.”

THT- Perspectives
February 7, 2016
Emergence of an industry
 
E- commerce companies gaining popularity but not making substantial profits industry insight
Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu
T he global e- commerce market is gigantic. It is a trillion dollar industry that has shown significant growth of 20 per cent in 2015 and is estimated to grow by double digit in the coming years according to e marketer, a digital market research company. There are 12 to 24 million e- commerce stores worldwide as per global statics at Internet Retailer.
The growth of e- commerce industry around the globe and the advent of technology have influenced local entrepreneurs to start online business in Nepal. However, e- commerce is not yet recognised as a proper industry in Nepal and it faces several hurdles.
Capital centric market
The market size of the country is limited and Capital centric. According to a report by Kaymu, 53 per cent of e- commerce activity prevails in Kathmandu followed by Biratnagar, Pokhara and Bharatpur with 23 per cent, eight per cent and three per cent respectively. According Bharat Adhikari, Managing Director, Rojeko. com, this is the prime reason why e- commerce companies are not able to attract investors.
Lack of proper infrastructure “ Transportation, lack of proper roads, networks, communication infrastructure and internet connection availability is a hindrance to e- commerce industries,” says Nitish Sharma, Head of Sales, Kaymu. He adds, “ Even if our services were available in 15 cities it would be quite difficult for us to reach these places due to lack of proper infrastructure.” Dark hours and lack of fuel The ongoing fuel crisis and power cut has obviously had an impact on the e- commerce industry. “ Delivering goods out of the valley has been a huge challenge for us resulting in limited sales in other cities,” says Adhikari. Similarly, Kaymu has also been struggling with sales as there are limited products that are available in the market. Urban Girl ( UG) and other such online business ventures have resorted to using bicycles for delivering goods.
Touch and feel factors “ Majority of the population is yet to adapt to the trend of online shopping,” says Sharma. According to him, consumers’ still like to bargain and hesitate to make a purchase unless they physically check the colour, size and quality of the products.
Further, consumers’ are also not familiar with online payment systems. According to report by Kamyu, 85 per cent of e- commerce users prefer cash on delivery. The remaining transact through digital payment gateway ( e- sewa, iPAY et cetera ).
Only one percent use credit/ debit cards for direct payment.
Growth of sales on special occasions
 There is significant growth in sales during special ocassions such as New Year, Dasain , Tihar , Valentine’s Day and such. On the occasion of Valentine’s Day, e- commerce sites such as giftmandu, Muncha, Mero Shopping, Urban Girl and many others have placed special gift items such as couple t- shirts, flowers, soft toys, jewelleries and the like to boost sales.
E- commerce is here to stay
Despite the challenges, the new generation of entrepreneurs is inclined towards vibrant online businesses and the emergence of e- commerce business cannot go unnoticed.
“ Even though the marketplace for e- commerce is still in its nascent phase in Nepal, it holds a great potential.
Despite the ongoing crisis people have income to spend and they search for a marketplace where they can find the best deals,” says Sharma.
He says that a year ago when Kaymu entered the market there were only a few sales per day.
However, today despite the crisis, there are more than 300 sales per day.
Nikita Acharya, CEO of UG says, “ Youth these days do not have much time to visit stores, they spend most of their time online so they are more likely to shop off the internet.” The population from 16 to 40 are comparatively more tech savvy and prefer to shop online than the older generation, she claims. UG is in operation since 2012 and delivers accessories, gift items and customised cakes through online platforms and social media.
She says that in the previous three years she has observed a change in the buying behaviour of customers.
Initially she had to teach consumers’ the correct way of shopping online.
However, this is not the case today as consumers’ efficiently find their own way through.
Adhikari says, “ We are in the digital age and e- commerce is here to stay and grow despite the challenges.” Most of the businesses have integrated with online platforms to reach target consumers’ and businesses that have not yet used e- commerce could be left out, according to him.

Soulful Sojourn

Published: September 17,2015

Abhilasha Rayamajhi

Abhilasha Rayamajhi enjoys a soothing hike and explores the outskirts of the valley

As nature lover I am keen to explore and connect with the magnificent hills, racing rivers, green dense forests and cool breeze that revives the soul. Every once in a while I come out of the humdrum city life to experience the surreal beauty of nature. My connection with nature refreshes me and renews my vigour for life. However, due to college and work I hardly get time enough to travel. Last week, I could finally take time out from my hectic schedule to hike with an amazing bunch of hikers from Hike for Nepal. Hike for Nepal is an initiative by young travel entrepreneurs and enthusiasts to promote Nepal as a safe travel destination after the recent earthquake and its aftermath.
Our hiking route would start from Gundu village which is located two kilometres from Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur and conclude at Sanga. It was a bright Saturday morning; I woke up early and got ready for the hike. My excitement knew no bounds. All the hikers gathered at Bhrikutimandap and registered for the hike. Before we started we were briefed about the route and lunch packs were distributed. We then all boarded the bus and off we headed to Gundu village.
The alluring Gundu village, its trails, small houses and the innocent smiling faces of children on the way got a hold of my heart. The hill from the village was a challenge to climb as it was steep and slippery. It was difficult for many hikers including me to balance ourselves. However, after we reached the top of the hill, beautiful scenery of green lush fields and blue sky welcomed us along with refreshing breeze. The weather was perfect and romantic. The golden rays of the sun fell into the pristine valley and most hikers scrambled to capture the scene with their cameras. Pilot Baba Ashram and Somnath temple is situated at the top of the hill. The holy shrine is built by the sage Pilot Baba who is believed to have renounced the material world for the spiritual one.
We moved along the trail and explored the hills and villages ahead. The next hill was called Ghyampe dada, a hill that encompassed its own beauty. There were old women dressed in traditional red dhoti and cholo preparing alcohol out of millet and rice. A few steps ahead there were pear orchards in full bloom. The farmers allowed us to pluck fruits from the trees! We also bought some off them. Next we hiked downhill to Aashapuri Mahadev temple which lies between Bhaktapur and Kavre. The pristine and sparkling Ashapuri River races through these two settlements. There are natural water spouts in and around the temple. Devotees paying homage to the deity usually bathe in the river or water spouts before they enter the main temple.
We stopped to catch our breath for a while and took the opportunity to know each other better. We introduced ourselves to the rest of the group. It was nice to know people I had never met and I must say I made a couple of friends too. As the evening crept in we sipped on cold drinks, feasted on selroti and spicy tarkari in a local shop near the temple. With our stomachs full and mind refreshed we then headed to Sanga where our vehicles waited to take us back to Kathmandu.
Even though I was exhausted and the thrill of the hike is yet to wear off, I am in high spirits. Every journey is beautiful if you enjoy the company. Life is a continuous journey and I choose to live every moment of it. I choose happiness for my soul. I choose many more of these journeys with people who soothe my soul and places that rejuvenate my mind.

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A version of this article appears in print on September 17, 2015 of The Himalayan Times

The Himalayan Times- Travel and Lifestyle

 Top 5 things to do in the city of devotees

Published: December 10, 2015

Abhilasha Rayamajhi

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

Abeeral Thapa is the Managing Director of Nepal, Sanjiwani Herbal Industry and a renowned lyricist. He revisits his favourite city – Bhaktapur with Abhilasha Rayamajhi and lists the best things to do there.
1.  Explore the old alleys

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

As you walk the historic alleys of Bhaktapur, you will stumble upon vibrant markets, artistic wood carvings, friendly people and exotic monuments. He shares, “There is surreal beauty in these alleys. The magnificence they hold has never failed to fascinate me.”
2.  Visit the Nyatapola Temple

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

The sky high Nyatapola temple at five storeys is the tallest temple in the durbar square. As we pass the temple, he says, “I like sitting at the rooftop cafe observing the people and the cultural heritage. I feel the places that I have read in novels and stories come to life here.”
3. Shop for mementos

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

Vibrant shops in the durbar square offer a wide range of Thangkas, paintings, singing bowls, magical amulets and handicrafts. The Buddhist art and architecture is detailed and intricate. The colour combination, iconography, originality of the design makes them outstanding. According to Thapa, “The ethnic thangkas available here are simple yet they catch the eye. The patterns and the Buddhist deities in these paintings are uniquely attractive.” He says, “The soothing sound of antique singing bowls also help in meditation and healing.”
4. Enjoy the pottery square

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

“As a creative person I always enjoy observing skillful people at work. The locals of Bhaktapur have preserved their culture and rich history through the production of various vessels and pots of clay,” he says. Bhaktapur is also renowned for its crafts and traditional clay pots. The pottery square is one of the most interesting areas of Bhaktapur where tourists and people from all walks of life can enjoy the craftsmanship. The pots made here are considered superior to pots produced elsewhere because of the black clay used, which is available. The black clay is called Dyo Cha that literally translates to ‘King of clay’.
5. Indulge in the richness of Juju Dhau

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan/ THT

Bhaktapur is famous for its thick, creamy and sweetened yoghurt or Juju Dhau. Juju Dhau literally means the king of yoghurt in Newari. It is served in earthen pots that keep it chilled. It is a part of almost every celebration in Nepal. It is used for culinary purposes and also has great religious significance. Thapa shares, “There is no city that can beat Bhaktapur’s Juju Dhau. Your visit to Bhatkapur is never complete without enjoying this delicious yoghurt.”

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A version of this article appears in print on December 10, 2015 of The Himalayan Times

The Himalayan Times- Travel and Lifestyle
 All it takes is courage

These six seconds of my life were the most terrific

February 25, 2016

Abhilasha Rayamajhi does the dare and 'shares the scare' at The Last Resort.

The Last Resort organised a ‘Share the Scare’ programme for Valentine’s Day. Two lucky fans got the opportunity to try the Tandem Swing with actors Nisha Adhikari and Anoop Bikram Shahi. There was a contest held where participants had to text stating the reason they wanted to have a go at it.
We reached the resort around noon, freshened up and had lunch. After that it was the time for the celebrity guests to go for the jump. The instructor gave us clear guidelines on how we were supposed to take the big leap. Aman Pratap Adhikary, the Executive Producer of Himalaya Television, and I were the first ones to take the jump together. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

I suffer mildly from vertigo but I love to do the things I am most afraid of. I love challenges. But when I was geared up for the leap, I was really scared. I questioned myself time and again; after all the jump would take me 160 metres down! It was my first time but Aman had already jumped 11 times earlier. His experience gave me a little more confidence.

We walked to the end of the bridge. My heart was racing so fast at that moment. Three, two, one and we jumped off the bridge! I screamed on top of my lungs and for a second I felt like this was my final good bye to the world! However, post my jump I wanted to do it all over again. Swinging just above the wild Bhotekoshi River and having the golden rays of sunshine on my face made me realise how beautiful this world is.

The sight of people going for the jump was a treat to watch. I could feel their excitement and nervousness too. Later in the evening we had singers Akshyata Adhikary (Axata) and Jyovan Bhuju entertain the crowd with their mesmerising performance. Presca Udas, the host of the event also engaged couples in fun games and contests.
I met interesting and wonderful people at the resort. Nabila Banu, Marketing Manager at The Last Resort shared with me, “Anyone who loves nature will ultimately fall in love with our resort.” I found her words very true as I lay in my tent listening to the gurgling river outside. I woke up to the birds chirping the next morning.

Tourism industry embarrassed by sorry state of TIA

28th February, 2016

THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN NEPAL CONTINUES TO ENSURE THAT PASSENGERS HAVE A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE


Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu

T he only international airport of Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport ( TIA) is a disgrace because of being over congested and poor management. Passengers are suffering and TIA stands criticised for its overcrowding, lack of infrastructure, ineffective ground handling, stinking restrooms, delay in arrival of luggage, inadequate and rusted trolleys, and a host of other problems. The airport was recently ingloriously listed as the third worst airport in the world by The Guide to Sleeping in Airports.
The sorry state of the only international airport is having a negative impact on the overall tourism sector.
The slow and unconcerned bureaucracy, ineffective management and politicised labour pose serious problems to its running, service delivery and the development and enhancement of infrastructure.
FIRST IMPRESSION, BAD IMPRESSION
Madhu Sudhan Acharya, President, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents ( NATTA), says, “ The airport is the gateway for development of tourism. The condition of our international airport is embarrassing and gives a very bad first impression to the world.” There is nothing in the international airport that reflects our rich culture and diversity, he says. He claims that there are no attractions or facilities for travellers even in the only international airport of the nation. He exclaims, “ TIA resembles a local bus park when compared to international airports around the globe.” “ The effort to develop tourism is in vain if the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal ( CAAN) does not prioritise the expansion of the international airport,” he says. According to him, expansion is the only option for now as development of another international airport will take years and is not cost effective.
GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY AND INTERFERENCE
Bhola Bikram Thapa, Managing Director of President Travel and Tours, says, “ The degrading status of the international airport has adversely affected the tourism sector. Infrastructure development and capacity building must be the top priority. But development activities of the airport have been delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles.” Further he says that existing issue of labour union is hindering the enhancement of the airport. He says, the labour unions are politically backed. This has created mismanagement which results in heavy congestion.
HARD TIME FOR PASSENGERS Ghanshyam Raj Acharya, Spokesperson, Airline Operators Association of Nepal, says, “ The current situation of the airport ensures the most horrible experience for passengers.
Passengers have to wait for hours for the arrival of their luggage. Further it is embarrassing to see broken trolleys and inefficient human resources.
He adds that this is because the distribution function is not efficient and lighting facilities are also not up to the mark. “ TIA as a service provider must offer quality experience to travellers.
This is possible if the construction and expansion projects take place without any hassles,” he says.
Pravesh Aryal, Executive Director, Hotel Association of Nepal ( HAN) says, “ The government may be concerned about the worsening situation of the only international airport and CAAN is carrying out weekly monitoring and observation of the parking facilities and expansion projects. But we have not experienced the desired outcome yet.” He says that it is the weakness of the leadership that has caused the international airport to reach such a situation.
PASSING THE BUCK When asked about the problems at TIA and about TIA ranked as the world’s third worst airport, Devananda Upadhyay, General Manager at TIA, says, “ The announcement of TIA being the world’s third worst airport is not official. It is just a research done by a private company for personal motives. We are making efforts to improve the capacity.” While he does not feel that the airport is badly managed he is of the opinion that if we could only gear up the infrastructure at the airports and proceed with the expansion plans the problems will be solved. But just what’s happening with the expansion plans and the fact that it will miss the deadline is another story. CAAN will no doubt have a good excuse and pass the buck for that delay as well.

Festive offers to push sales

 Sales in the apparel industry decreased by 50 per cent
Kathmandu

Abhilasha Rayamajhi

The festive season is around and it is time for retail outlets to display their best apparel.
However, this year the festive season seems lacking in cheer as sales are yet to pick up unlike previous years. The retail apparel industry has been hard hit by the earthquake and its aftermath followed by the Tarai unrest. Businesses also report that the monsoon was a dry season for sales in the clothing industry.
With the arrival of the festive season, retail clothing and apparel outlets in the valley are offering attractive discounts to lure customers and push sales. Sale schemes and price reduction offers are common in almost every store around the valley. Enterprises have implemented minimum pricing strategies and indulged in promotional campaigns to increase footfall.
However, despite all this sales are lower than expected and have traders worried about how to increase sales.
Raj Bikram Shrestha, Owner of Belleza Kloths, Durbarmarg says, “We have offered upto 50 per cent discount on 90 per cent of our clothes and accessories.”

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan

He shared that April/May was the peak season for sales as it was the wedding season. However, most orders got cancelled due to the national disaster. He adds, “This is the first time we are offering such huge discounts in our store.
Today, it is better to sell at minimum profit rather than have no sales at all.”He reported that they import stock from India and most of their goods are stuck at the custom points in the Tarai region.
“The quantity of imports has significantly decreased. Instead of getting 100 pieces we are only getting five pieces and that too after delays with security escorted vehicles,” he said. In such a situation it is difficult to carry on business, he added.
The store deals with traditional wear mainly for festive and wedding occasions. According to him the price range of products at Belleza starts from Rs 1500 and go up to Rs 50,000.
Stores in Durbarmarg and New Road also are going all out with special festive offers and discounts. DS Collections in Durbarmarg offers a flat 50 per cent discount in almost all the items. “As compared to last year our sales have decreased by almost 50 per cent,” says Prabha Shrestha, Owner of On The Way store at Old Baneshwor.
According to her they have put up mostly last year’s stock and new arrivals are stuck at various border customs points. She said that the store will sell at the minimum fixed price. Only five to 10 per cent discount will be offered to the customers for Dasain. She claimed that their products are reasonably priced unlike other stores that hike the price and offer more than 50 per cent discounts. The store offers products with a price range from Rs 500 to Rs 2000.
Khushbu Thakuri, Proprietor at Pink Princess, a retail clothing store in Dillibazar shared a similar story. According to her, “Last year during Teej, many girls and women purchased red gowns and dresses. However, this year sales have dropped drasstically.” The outlet plans to try to recover sales during Dasain and Tihar by adding more traditional wear to their collection. The store offers ladies tops, dresses and pants ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 3500.
The store offers 20 to 25 per cent discount during the festive season.Smriti Bajracharya, Owner of Posh, Durbarmarg, says, “The earthquake and its aftermath did not really affect our business. However, political unrest and turmoil has had an adverse impact on the entire industry.” The store has loyal and repeat customers, according to her.

Photo: Sanu Raja Maharjan

She shared that she herself hand picks the outfits from Bangkok and China. Posh also offers reasonable prices on apparels, Tops ranges from Rs 1200 and go up to Rs 1800. Similarly dresses range from Rs 1800 to 3500, shoes from Rs 1500 to Rs 3500 and bags from Rs 1400 to Rs 3500 according to Bajracharya.
Most retail outlets in the valley are also actively marketed on social networking sites. They display their latest arrivals on their official Facebook pages. The footfall at clothing stores have also decreased significantly due to the shortage of new arrivals. Most store owners are cautiously hopeful about the festive season. They plan to introduce new schemes, promotional activities through social media and huge discounts to attract more customers to at least meet overhead costs.

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A version of this article appears in print on September 27, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.

Why THE UNENDING QUEUE?

DEMAND FOR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS HAS SOARED BY ALMOST 100 PER CENT MAINLY DUE TO HOARDING

March 6,2016

Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu
T he blockade ended a month ago. The borders are free of political agitation and open for supply of fuel and other amenities. While the government claims that the supply of petroleum products is above expectations, the public waits in endless queues wondering when the petroleum crisis will really be over.
STOCKING UP ON RUMOURS
Rumours that supply will again be disrupted due to political unrest and insecurity have led to the public also hoarding petroleum products. Those having the time and ability are making recurring runs to petroleum pumps to fill up and hoard fuel. Others are turned back by the long queues.
A resident of Dallu, Gopal Tamang finally managed to fill the tank of his two- wheeler after leaving his bike at the petrol station and waiting for hours. He had to earlier scout various petrol pumps in order to find the station distributing fuel. “ Inefficiency of the Nepal Oil Corporation ( NOC) to inform the general public about distribution of fuel has made us suffer even though the government states that they are importing enough fuel to cope with demand,” he said, complaining that he still has to stay in queue for hours.
DEMAND HAS DOUBLED Gopal Bahadur Khadka, Managing Director of Nepal Oil Corporation ( NOC) said, “ We are quite transparent in the supply of petroleum products. We have made all the transaction of imports from Indian Oil Corporation ( IOC) and distribution to the petrol pumps public.” He added, “ We have increased the supply of petroleum product to 450,000 litres of petrol and 500,000 litres of diesel daily, which was the demand during the peak season last year. However, present demand has soared by almost 100 per cent unexpectedly.” According to NOC, the current demand for diesel constitutes a million litres and 700,000 litres petrol per day. Citing that they are facing difficulties to meet this rising demand, he said, “ If only people quit hoarding fuel, the situation will be normal.” “ The general public was deprived of fuel since four and half months. So once the fuel was available they have started stocking it WHAT’S IN STORE At the root of the problem lies NOC’s poor storage ability. Even though there has been a plan to expand storage facilities since the last 25 years, the corporation has not expanded its storage facilities till date.
According to Khadka, IOC the sole distributor of petroleum products to Nepal has also not supplied cent per cent fuel to Nepal. “ IOC has only supplied 70 per cent of fuel demand pointing to technical difficulties and internal problems. We import fuel from seven IOC depots. The maximum supply is from Raxaul and there are some hitches due to which full supply is not possible,” said Khadka.
Talking about the poor storage capacity he informed, “ NOC is doing its homework to increase the present storage capacity of 20 days to 90 days. We will expand our storage facilities in three areas — Nuwakot, Kavre and Khaireni.” According to NOC, the storage facility is present in 10 districts and incorporates 71,622 kilolitres of petroleum products. Even though there has been the plan to expand storage facilities since the last 25 years, the corporation has not expanded its storage facilities till date.
government importing demand,” still quite all from and pumps petroleum petrol daily, the However, current a rising people situation it up,” said Hari Narayan Belbase, Director at the Department of Commerce and Supply Management ( DoCSM). He explained that the demand for diesel has increased also because of load shedding and demand from businesses for operation of generators.
“ Developmental projects are also now picking up pace so that has also increased the demand for fuel above the normal times. This is also the peak period for construction of infrastructure and so it is obvious that there is maximum demand,” said Belbase.
The supply of petroleum has increased by three folds as compared to the period of blockade, yet there are long queues. RB Ranabhat, Head of Distribution at Bhadrakali Petrol Station, said, “ Earlier in September we got 6,000 litres of petrol and 4,000 litres of diesel per day but now the situation has improved and we are getting 20,000 litres of petrol and 16,000 litres of diesel per day.” According to him, they distribute 15 litres and five litres of petrol to four wheelers and two wheelers respectively from 9: 30 am to 5: 30 pm.
WEAK MONITORING

Pointing out that insecurity is the main reason for the present situation, Ranabhat said, “ People are still not confident about uninterrupted supply, which is why, they have started to keep stocks.” Furthermore, he added, “ As the government has not introduced any mechanism and regulations to regulate distribution, customers who can stay in the queue are getting more fuel than they need and genuine customers are still at bay.” According to him, the government should regulate the distribution system of fuel to customers as well as to private pumps. “ It is a well known fact that black marketers have been active in this adverse situation. To prevent black marketing, primarily the government should strictly monitor all private pumps. And also there should be a system to record fuel buyers,” he said, adding that there should be quota and fixed time to distribute fuel from private pumps.
“ If only the government prevents distribution at night time, 50 per cent of black marketing will be corrected,” claimed Ranabhat as local dons and nepotism get active at night. According to him, last year they distributed 32,000 litres of petrol and 22,000 litres of diesel in a day. He said that unless the government cracks down and introduces data record of buyers, the situation will not be normal anytime soon.
Just why the government has not bothered to crack down is anybody’s guess. The government’s inability to crack down and manage the issue is fueling the problem and fueling rumors that certain powers are hand in glove with black marketers.
President of Consumers Forum, Jyoti Baniya said, “ Through the number of complaints of not getting fuel has significantly dropped, the long queues have not ended.” Citing that the most complaints are from private petrol pumps, he said, “ Nepotism and lack of system results in unequal distribution of fuel.” Despite the fact that the Consumers Forum has the right to seal petrol pumps for uneven distribution, there is no record of taking such action against any petrol pump till date. In the valley alone, there are altogether 75 petrol pumps. To assure smooth and even supply, the Thankot depot is distributing petroleum every alternative day to private petrol pumps.
Owner of Mayaram Bholaram Petrol Pump, at Tripureshwor, Lok Bahadur Thapa, said that they are distributing full tank petrol to customers.
About the timing of the distribution, he said, “ The time is not fixed as whenever the depot sends tankers, we distribute.” According to him, it takes them three and a half hours to distribute 6,000 litres of fuel.
QUEUE “ We have increased the supply of petroleum product to 450,000 litres of petrol and 500,000 litres of diesel daily, which was the demand during the peak season last year. However, present demand has soared by almost 100 per cent unexpectedly” Gopal Bahadur Khadka Managing NOC “ Nepotism and lack of system results in unequal distribution of fuel” Jyoti Baniya President of Consumers Forum “ The general public was deprived of fuel since four and half months. So once the fuel was available they have started stocking it up” Hari Narayan Belbase Director DoCSM. THT

The Himalayan Times- Perspectives

March 6,2016

Young and trendy

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathmandu
Teenage is a phase of life when most people are confused and are trying to figure out their identity and meaning of life. However, a few people understand their purpose of life early on. Nikita Acharya, in her teens, had already started her online business, Urban Girl ( UG). Today UG has successfully completed three years of operation. The experimental business initiated by two friends in 2012, now stands as one of the most popular e- commerce sites in Nepal. UG has established itself as a platform where girls and women in Nepal can buy, share, express and even sell trendy accessories, dresses, cakes and many more.
Acharya says, “ Urban Girl was started with a small capital and a vision to be a one stop platform for women and girls to shop. My partner, Kiran Timsina and I invested in the venture initially.” The main idea was to create a common space where young girls could shop conveniently and save their time.
“ The market for e- commerce in Nepal is small. Further, there are many challenges created due to political unrest, natural disasters and fuel crisis. However, these challenges have made us more creative and persistent,” she says. According to her, she and her team are constantly delivery of their products to customers. Even during the crisis, they delivered their orders by bicycles. She says, “ We do not have time to think about the crisis. When there are people who wait for their orders, you must act immediately.” She adds, “ The support we are getting from our families, customers and media keeps us motivated.” Numerous online businesses have evolved over the years. However, they have not sustained in the market. Citing the competitors in the market she says, “ Everyday there is a new page created on social media that sells products. However, most of them are created without a vision or plan and they sell low quality products.” She exclaims, “ There is scope for online business in Nepal as many new things can be tried out.
I would encourage young people to come up with a proper business plan and take the industry to new heights rather than ruining the image of the business by randomly functioning without a plan.” helping boost the economy by providing direct employment to people and it promotes Nepal made products too. “ We are selling T- shirts and accessories that are designed and manufactured in Nepal itself,” she says.
UG sources all the products from trusted suppliers. Moreover, they make sure that there is zero customer complaints and in case of complaints, they make immediate service recovery according to her. “ Unlike other online businesses there is money back or exchange facility at UG,” she says.
According to her, UG focuses on employee satisfaction along with customer satisfation. She says, “ It is difficult to retain talented human resource. We make sure that our employees’ are happy and satisfied. We provide bonuses and commissions along with salary and make sure that they are comfortable working with us.” She claims that working with a start up is more beneficial for a young person as they get to closely work on every function of business.
She finds inspiration in everyone and everything around her. However, her work inspires her more than anything does. She adds, “ I started the company as a teenager and I am growing with it.” Acharya concludes, “ I feel every person has the potential to do something that is extra ordinary. Do not be afraid to take small steps and make decisions of your life. You might get success or failure, but you should not stop, you live only once.” young guns “ It is difficult to retain talented human resource. We make sure our employees’ are happy and satisfied. We provide bonuses and commissions along with a salary and make sure that they are comfortable working with us.”

THE HIMALAYAN TIMES- Perspectives

Lead story

March 13, 2016

Reconstruction moving at snail’s pace

Almost a year after the natural disaster the nation is still waiting for something concrete in terms of reconstruction

Abhilasha Rayamajhi
Kathamndu

Almost a year has passed after the massive natural disaster hit Nepal, however reconstruction work is still in the planning phase. The devastating earthquakes that took place in April and May 2015 caused a loss of 8,891 lives and 22,200 people were affected. Precisely, 608,155 houses were completely damaged and 298,998 sheds were partially damaged by the earthquake in 14 districts of Nepal. Similarly, 2,687 government buildings including schools, hospitals and health posts were completely damaged while 3,776 suffered partial damage.

The impact of the earthquake was observed to be higher in remote and rural areas and low income communities were most affected. According to a research by The Asia Foundation on high impact districts, 72 per cent respondents reported that their houses were completely destroyed while 14 per cent said their houses were partially destroyed needing significant repairs before they could be lived in again.

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) was formed nearly eight months after the disaster. A total budget of 6.69 billion US dollars will be required for the reconstruction. The international community and donor agencies had pledged to offer 4.1 billion US dollars. However, the reconstruction works is taking place at a snail’s pace and government has not yet received the grant.

Cause of delay

“Delay in formation of NRA and the appointment of the CEO for the authority due to political disputes shows how serious the government is regarding such a critical issue,” says Dr Basanta Raj Adhikari, Deputy Director, Centre for Disaster Studies, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University (TU). The government had promised to complete the reconstruction works within five years and provide NRs 200,000 to each individuals. But at the current pace where the work hasn't even begun properly that doesn’t seem realistic, he said.

Citing that reconstruction work must gear up, he said, “We have enough technical and financial resources for reconstruction efforts. Our current need is to make optimum utilisation of the resources.” He further added that the work is delayed but now proper risk mapping must be carried out before reconstruction in order to build back better and safer homes.

Sudip Pokharel, Director of Democracy Resource Centre Nepal said, “Nepal was not prepared for the disaster at all. Moreover, governance works in an ad hoc manner rather than going for a scientific approach.” Political parties with their disagreements politicised the whole reconstruction effort. Further, leadership and participation of political parties in the relief and reconstruction works was observed to be weak.

Even though the technical expertise and financial resources are enough in the nation, they could not be mobilised due to miscommunication and lack of coordination according to him. There were 500 engineers assigned in the field after the earthquake but the assessments were inconsistent. “Research and assessments conducted shortly after the disaster are unable to capture the intensity and impact of the disaster,” he claimed.

Random reconstruction

“People have rebuilt their homes randomly where ever and however they want without consultation with geologists or engineers,” said Dr Ranjan Kumar Dahal, Engineering Geologist and Geo-technical Engineer. He added that the focus has only been on rebuilding individual houses without considering geological engineering. People only consider the aspects of physical infrastructure.” He explained that houses and buildings that are built in valleys are built differently than houses built in Terai or Himalayas.

“We are only following the template taught to us by NGOs and INGOs rather than doing scientific studies and building disaster resistant houses. The relationship between ground, building and design is misunderstood. To rebuild and reconstruct disaster resistant houses appropriate geological study should be understood,” he said.

According to him geological studies and research from the side of government is required. We have not even done the things we could do easily. Calculation of ground acceleration, design and building’s response will make us more responsive towards disaster as per him. “The government should take the initiative to create demonstrative videos that show the consequences of randomly reconstructing houses and buildings and broadcast it through national television,” he suggested.

Opportunity to build better

According to Prabha Pokhrel, Social Development Expert and Chairperson of Integrated Development Society –Nepal, said, “There is lack of coordination, documentation and knowledge sharing even between various departments of the government in Nepal.” Pokhrel said even people who have the capacity to build homes are unable to do so because they care confused about where to build as disasters are unpredictable. Further, people are not sure of whether they should wait for the grant that the government has assured or to go ahead and build permanent shelters right away.

According to her, “Government should immediately provide a clear guideline that states which areas are safe for resettlement and when the victims will obtain the funds.” If this is clear then people can at least start to build homes and later they can claim the grant.

“The settlements in Nepal are random and unorganised. This is an opportunity for us to have planned urbanisation,” she said. The population residing in urban areas has increased from 28 per cent to around 40 per cent acording to her. She said that settlements are scattered and development is difficult in such situations. “The government should have a vision to plan to reorganise and rebuild settlements. When there is a school, hospital, a safe shelter to reside at the time of disaster and other infrastructures in the same area development can take place at a faster pace,” she added.

“Another important aspect that government must consider is climate change and its impact on water supply. The disaster has caused underground water to dry up and there is no use of making settlements in such areas,” according to her research.

Execution of realistic goals
She said, “It takes time for a new organisation to function completely. In order to establish a proper mechanism for reconstruction, coordination and communication between government, donor agencies, national and international expertise is a must.” Moreover, forming realistic goals and executing is essential.

“NRA was established just two months ago and it takes time for any new organisation to start work efficiently,” says Suresh Adhikari, Spokesperson of NRA. He shared that government and NRA is still working on data verification and geographical mapping. He informed that NRA will provide NRs 50,000 to the earthquake victims of Dolakha district till the end of Falgun and it will soon distribute grants in Sidhupalchowk.

He further said that it is true that there will not be lack of funds for reconstruction works. However, the government has not yet received the sum that donor agencies have pledged because there were delays in formation of laws regarding the reconstruction authority. The focus of NRA is now on building individual houses. He concludes, “The government’s focus is to rebuild 500,000 individual’s houses, resettlement plans and simultaneously work on rebuilding cultural heritages.”