Nepali Times ePaper
Dear Nepali Times Reader,
Kathmandu has run out of space horizontally, so it is now expanding vertically. High-rises are mushrooming despite the city's high seismic risk. Soil conditions are not suitable for high-rises, and most buildings are not built to withstand strong tremors.
There are also serious concerns about evacuating people in case of a fire or earthquake. Experts warn that the city needs to prioritise building safer high-rises. Sonia Awale reports on page 1.
Other highlights in this week's edition:
Doctors are prescribing unnecessary and harmful medication to children. This includes cough syrups not recommended for babies, steroids for common colds, and antibiotics for viral infections. Overuse of medication is putting children's health at risk and driving up medical costs. Sagar Budathoki reports.
Nepal's medicine production has increased, with domestic drugs now accounting for half of pharmacy sales, but some question their quality. Doctors are swayed by drug companies to prescribe specific brands, raising ethical concerns. Over-the-counter sale of antibiotics and other prescription drugs threaten public health. Yugeshwor Koirala reports.
Kathmandu’s Gravity-Defying Chariot Festival
The Janabahā Dyo chariot festival is a centuries-old tradition in Kathmandu that celebrates the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteshwor, who is also worshipped as Seto Machhindranath. The festival features a chariot procession that is a marvel of engineering. Built with 365 pieces of wood, the chariot is designed to represent Buddhist teachings and uses principles that can be applied to earthquake-resistant buildings. Alok Tuladhar reports.
Three Nepali chefs, Parshurama Pathak, Rupesh Bohara, and Sagar Shrestha, bring a wealth of international experience, having worked in places like Dubai, San Francisco, Denmark, and on cruise ships. With their new restaurant in Bhaktapur, Tusa, they are passionate about fusing Nepali ingredients with international culinary art. The tasting menu costs Rs3,500 and features dishes like fermented potato roti, grilled fish, jackfruit skewers, and watermelon steak.
This and more at nepalitimes.com.
Have a great weekend.
Nepali Times