2068 BS: A year to remember

With plenty of moments to cheer 2068 has been a year to remember. I completed my tenure at Rotaract Club of Kathmandu; worked as a government officer at Janakpur, for at least couple of months; visited south India and different places within Nepal; most importantly, finished my master’s dissertation, pending since long; spent more time with family and had plenty of moments to rejoice. Besides, there are plenty of things worth sharing.

Though New Years day was not much special, the month of Baisakh was fruitful having accomplished pending programs at Rotaract Club like Public Speaking training and others. During the same month, I went to Hetauda twice in bike which was memorable. I and the whole family attended the weeding of Pravin dai, and also in the very day was the bratabandha of Amog and Shaswat at Bhaisipati, both of which was not lesser than having a program within our own family. Most importantly, Pramod, beloved brother and friend, also managed to come from Noway for the function and together we had very nice time. My birthday this year was memorable one having celebrated week long at home, mamaghar and Rotaract club.



Having got the opportunity to work as government officer at Local Peace Committee, Dhanusha during Jesth-Asar was perhaps the best part of the year. Though I had a very busy schedule, I was more than happy to prove myself at the office. It was no exception to other government agencies as all the programs were to be done on the last two months of the fiscal year. My experience working at Rotaract Club helped me a lot where I coordinated all nine programs successfully, thanks to the painstaking labor offered by all concerned. Apart from this, I also made the office more functional, purchased stationeries, mend computer, connected internet, reviewed pending task, cleared dues at telephone, electricity and water offices and so forth. Special thanks to the Office Associate Binod Mahara and the members of LPC for we were able to accomplish all the programs before the deadline. On Asar 19, LPC Dhanusha had a four days tour to Western Development Region in which we had programs with LPC Baglung and LPC Parbat. During the ephemeral service, not only did I contribute at the office but also I didn’t miss the engagement and weeding of my beloved brother Ajay for which I traveled back home twice in between. At one of the visits, I handed over the presidentship at the Rotaract Club to Rtr Sushil on July during 16 installation program.







Coming back from Janakpur, I soon joined Nepal Development Research Institute(NDRI). I was involved in Monitoring and Evaluation of Rainwater Harvesting at Makwanpur, a program of PLAN Nepal being executed by NDRI during Shrawan-Bhadra. I could witness the positive impact of the Rain Water Harvesting ponds and jars to the rural residents of Makwanpur district. My partner during the survey was beloved brother Peshal Wagle, a cool and smart fellow. I can never forget the first day when we were hit hard with rain as we crossed Kathmandu, loved by leeches and tainted by mud before we reached my relative’s place at around 9PM; interestingly it was my first visit there. The rest of the days went nice and smooth at Chitlang, Fakhel and Markhu. Though I lost my mobile on the way to Hetauda, we joined Dr Nawa Raj Khaiwada and other friends, enjoyed the company, had yoga class next morning and finished our work at Churiya Mai VDC during the day. We stayed at Manahari that day and the next day we set off for Raksirang, walked whole day, crossed flooded river, crawled through the rocks and reached there at the twilight. Having completed the survey at Raksirang we went to Sarikhet stayed and finished things off and finally headed back to Kathmandu. The task was not complete till we helped entering the data and preparing the final report.



During September I along with Harka, Pragya, Priya and Abishek participated in Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), four day training program at Kodaikanbal, South India. Kodaikanal is a lovely hill side with healthful weather and the training was worthy one. After the training we went to Dendigal and stayed with Arjun and his family, visited Water Park nearby and had fun. Following that were the biggest festivals of Nepalese Dasain and Tihar on Asoj-Kartik. Also this year we had Dewali, biennial worshiping of the gods of our family. Dasain –tihar cultural program at Rotract Club was worth remembering, besides there were also other interesting programs at the club as well.







At winter (December-January), I was engaged in a survey on Vulnerably Assessment and Climate Adaptation (VACA) a program under Himalayan Climate Adaptation Program (HICAP) of ICIMOD during Mangshr and Poush. Six day long training and village practice at ICIMOD was interesting, following that was a small break then I left for Dolakha with Mr Sahabir BK. The first place we went wes Jiri, often called as Switzerland of Nepal was a beautiful cool valley. Other three program VDCs, Shyama, Suri and Khare being inside Gaurishankar Conservation Area we visited the protected area as well. It is worth mentioning that we also visited Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project at Gagar in which massive construction was underway. Finally, with the program at Khopachangu we finished our program and it was time to head back.



The month of Magh started with Magesankranti and luckily we had just returned from the field visit. My sister, brother in law and their newborn niece Khushi had come from USA and we had a pleasant gathering. We had Annaprsan Ceremony of Khushi, niece on Magh 8 and Bratabandha of Ashutosh, cousin on Magh 1. Also during the month I was busy at NDRI. Also during the month I celebrated holi, shivaratri and many other programs and festivals.







Celebration of Ram Navami and Chaite Dasain was a grand one this year, the day also marked 50th birthday of my beloved mother and we celebrated it at Dhobighat, many thannks to Ajay da, Avay, Madhusudahan mama, miju, dijjuz and vanja vanji for making it a memorable one.



Finally I presented my Masters dissertation at Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), TU on March 8 on the presence of supervisor Dr Dinesh Bhuju, Co-supervisor Dr Netra Chhetri, HOD Dr Kedar Rijal, Narayan dai, faculty members and beloved friends. It was an august gathering particularly with the presence of foreign professors making the program a grand one. I cannot forget the words of Dr Chhetri who said this is the not the end but the start of Academic life and he again added that thesis writing is more like writing a story. Internal examiner Mr Suman Aryal and external examiner Dr Jagadish Chandra Baral pointed out the areas for improvement. Supervisor Dr Dinesh Bhuju congratulated and thanked for bridging with Professors from USA, and even for leaving places for experts to comment.

At the later part of the year, I was named the president of Creative Youth Society. With the combined effort of friends we renewed and revived the organization, the progress is still underway. The vision that we had shared before half a decade with the establishment of the organization is being more likely these days.



During May-June, I joined Collins for GRE exam preparation, though I never dared to take the exam. I also had plenty of setbacks this year which forms a good memory, some of them are; failing in Rotary GSE program, missing out at various opportunities, discontinuing morning walks and most importantly losing some of my best friends. Moreover, some of my precious dreams are not yet fulfilled be it getting anchored at better job or being enrolled in further studies program. I reckon that, I will finish my pending task and keep on hunting and pursuing my dreams.