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London – The 21st BNAC Nepal Study Days took place on 13-14 May 2024, hosted by the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. A total of 35 academic papers on Nepal were presented over the course of two days in 12 topical parallel sessions, 2 panel discussions and 1 book discussion.  The presentations covered various topics, including environment, politics, migration, gender, disaster, Dalit, health and healing. 

With many excellent papers, particularly by young scholars, the two days also saw some interesting spoilers, such as a preview of the forthcoming extensive Routledge Handbook of the Himalayas, which Ben Campell co-edits with Thanka Subba and Mary Cameron.

Ben Campbell noted a turnaround in the reforestation of the central Himalayas and drew from gender perspectives, community-based conservation initiatives, and ethnographically informed studies of climate change projects to contemplate prospects for human-environmental interactions in which slow violence may be at work eroding the connections of language diversity and environmental knowledge.

Already in print and thus deserving a larger panel discussion was Krishna Adhikari and David Gellner’s latest edited book: Nepal’s Dalits in Transition which covers a wide range of specialist articles on contemporary Dalit studies in Nepal.

Herne Katha visits Nepal Study Days

This year, the BNAC, in collaboration with the research project ‘Heritage as Placemaking’, invited Bidhya Chapagain and Kamal Kumar, the founders of Herne Katha, to present a preview of their latest film ‘The Lost Years’ in a cinema-length 75 min director’s cut version. An audience of engaged scholars and Nepali community members from Scottland enjoyed the event. Engaging question at the Q&A session highlighted the importance of Herne Katha’s documentary films in connecting the diaspora with the country of their childhood or that of their parents. 

PhD Dissertation Prize

Since 2018, the BNAC has awarded each year a dissertation prize for the best-submitted chapter. This year, amongst the many submissions, there were four outstanding chapters, which made it very hard for the selection committee, including Prof Michael Hutt (SOAS), Dr Kumud Rana (Lancaster), Dr Bidha Sumkhada (Huddersfield) and Dr Heidi Riley (Dublin) to settle on a decision.The first prize went jointly to Alice Millington (Cambridge University) and Paula Tine (Victoria University of Wellington). The panel also named Kathrin Fischer (Oxford University) and Sudha Ghimire (Tribhuvan University) as the joint first runners-up.

Paola Tiné’s chapter, entitled ‘Feeling Social Change in the Gut: Gyāstrik and the Problematisation of Domestic Roles Among Newar Women in Contemporary Nepal’, examines how middle-class women in Bhaktapur experienced and made sense of gyāstrik (an umbrella term for multiple gut disorders) as an embodiment of social change. 

Alice Millington’s chapter, entitled ‘The fury of the khangba’, argues that the dismissal of Indigenous epistemologies has constrained scholarly understandings of hazards within disaster studies, sometimes leading to failures in the recording of such hazards. Millington provides a rich contextualisation of Indigenous understandings of glacial lake outbursts in Walung, Taplejung, that interweave accounts of religious, political and socio-economic catastrophes not usually considered in analyses of geological catastrophes. 

Kathrin Fischer’s chapter, entitled ‘Between fate and choice  – a multi-scalar analysis of migration decisions in Nepal’, combines agentic and structural aspects of decision-making around labour migration that are often separated in the wider literature on empowerment and migration. The paper shows how migrants simultaneously embrace and negotiate migration opportunities.

Sudha Ghimire’s chapter, entitled ‘Multilayered transformation through participating activities: Building agency and awareness for menstruation hygiene management’, provides an innovative analysis of how teenagers can develop a critical awareness of how views on menstruation in Nepal are entangled with sociocultural values.  The analysis is grounded in transformative learning theory and provides vital insights into dialogic and transformative spaces for exploring adolescent students’ menstruation-related issues. 

We are looking forward to hearing more from these distinguished young scholars and wish them all the best for their esteemed careers

New virtual BNAC PhD student reading group

This year’s Nepal Study Day saw the launch of a new PhD reading group in which current PhD students meet monthly online to discuss their own work and selected scholarly work on Nepal. The group is still open to new PhD students working on Nepal and would like to encourage current students to get in touch with Bina Khapung (University of Northumbria) at bina.limbu@northumbria.ac.uk

The UK government has announced stringent measures aimed at curbing net migration and addressing visa misuse, citing concerns over unsustainable legal migration levels. The move comes after official data revealed a record net migration of 745,000 in 2022, prompting ministers to assert that immigration levels are “far too high.”

Under the new regulations, which are set to take effect from spring 2024, significant changes will be introduced to the country’s immigration system. Most notably, individuals seeking work in the UK will be required to apply for a visa through the points-based system (PBS) and must have a job offer with a substantially higher salary. The minimum salary threshold for sponsored skilled workers will increase by almost 50 percent, rising from £26,200 to £38,700.

However, certain exemptions will apply, particularly in sectors deemed essential such as health and social care. Nevertheless, overseas care workers will not be permitted to bring family dependents under the new rules.

The changes also extend to family and spouse visas, with the minimum income requirement for sponsorship witnessing a phased increase from £18,600 per year to around £38,700 by early 2025. Additionally, there will be revisions to the Shortage Occupation List to limit the number of jobs eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa.

While the new rules are scheduled to be implemented in stages, concerns have been raised regarding their potential impact on migrant families. Home Secretary James Cleverly has indicated that around 300,000 individuals who arrived in the UK last year may be affected by the stricter regulations. Furthermore, statistics suggest that a significant portion of UK residents may struggle to meet the new income threshold required to sponsor family members, potentially affecting more than 60 percent of applicants.

In light of these changes, migrants are advised to act swiftly, particularly regarding visa applications for family members, to avoid being impacted by the escalating income requirements. The government has assured that individuals applying for visa extensions before the specified deadlines will not be subject to the new thresholds.

The implementation of these regulations reflects the government’s commitment to reforming the immigration system to ensure sustainability and address concerns surrounding net migration levels.

London — Police have issued a stark warning to Asian communities across the UK following a significant rise in burglaries targeting family gold, with hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of precious metal stolen since the beginning of the year.

Thieves have been specifically targeting Indian, Pakistani, and other Asian households, with recent incidents coinciding with the Hindu spring festival of Akshaya Tritiya, traditionally a time when families invest in gold. The modus operandi of the thieves includes making random cold calls to homes, possibly as a reconnaissance tactic before executing targeted burglaries.

Nottinghamshire Police’s 2020 warning about suspicious phone inquiries targeting Asian families seems prescient in light of the recent surge in gold-related burglaries. Hampshire, Dorset, and Surrey police have collectively reported 31 such incidents since January, amounting to an estimated £200,000 in losses. Additionally, areas with well-established Asian communities such as Slough, Maidenhead, and Windsor have emerged as hotspots for such crimes.

Law enforcement agencies are particularly concerned about the upcoming wedding season, as affluent Asian families often store significant amounts of gold at home. Chief Inspector Matt Paling of Hampshire Police emphasized the sophistication of these criminal operations and urged communities to remain vigilant.

The skyrocketing value of gold, reaching record highs in recent months, has only exacerbated the issue, making it an even more lucrative target for thieves. Victims like Preeti Nayyar, whose home was burglarized in March, have experienced firsthand the trauma and financial loss inflicted by these brazen criminals.

To combat this rising trend, authorities are advising families to secure their gold in safer locations such as banks or safety deposit boxes and to invest in home security measures like CCTV cameras. However, challenges remain, as stolen gold is often melted down or sold anonymously, exploiting gaps in existing legislation governing the gold trade.

As communities grapple with this escalating threat, cooperation between law enforcement and vigilant citizens becomes increasingly crucial in safeguarding against such targeted crimes.

Kathmandu— In an astonishing display of endurance and skill, British climber Kenton Cool, 50, and Nepali guide Kami Rita Sherpa, 54, have shattered their own records for the most climbs of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak. According to Rakesh Gurung, director of Nepal’s Department of Tourism, Cool achieved his 18th ascent, while Kami Rita reached an unprecedented 29th summit.
Operating on separate expeditions, they were leading clients up the formidable mountain. “He just keeps going and going… amazing guy!” remarked Garrett Madison of Madison Mountaineering, who had previously joined forces with Kami Rita in 2014 to conquer Everest, Lhotse, and K2.

K2, situated in Pakistan, is the planet’s second-highest peak, while Lhotse in Nepal ranks as the fourth-tallest. Lukas Furtenbach of Furtenbach Adventures hailed Cool’s achievement as remarkable, emphasizing his integral role in the Everest guiding industry.

Both climbers opted for the Southeast Ridge route, a path made famous by the pioneering efforts of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, which remains the preferred route to the Everest summit.

Kami Rita’s climbing journey began in 1994, and since then, he has conquered Everest nearly every year, except during closures imposed by authorities. Last year alone, he summited the peak twice, solidifying his reputation as one of the foremost mountaineers of our time.

The significance of mountain climbing extends beyond personal achievement, serving as a vital tourism activity and economic engine for Nepal, renowned for hosting eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, including Everest. With Nepal issuing 414 climbing permits, each priced at $11,000, for the current climbing season, it underscores the enduring allure of conquering the world’s tallest mountain.

London, May 13, 2024: Maya Events, in collaboration with Wycombe House Tennis and Cricket Club, is set to host the Maya T10 Cricket Tournament alongside a vibrant musical concert on July 14th in Islesworth, London.

CEO Raj Pandey unveiled plans for the tournament at a press conference in Hounslow. The 10-over competition will feature four teams battling it out on the prestigious Middlesex grounds, promising an exhilarating display of cricketing talent.

In addition to the cricketing action, attendees can enjoy live concerts, authentic cuisine, national dress stalls, children’s activities including bouncy castle games and art painting, reminiscent of a Nepali fair.

Pandey announced a star-studded lineup, including renowned Nepali cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, with prizes totaling £7000, the highest among the Nepali community in the UK.

The event aims to promote cricketing excellence and foster community spirit, with live coverage on YouTube and Prime TV HD of Nepal. Proceeds will support charitable initiatives, reinforcing ties between Britain and Nepal.

Maya Cricket Club also unveiled its new jersey, symbolizing their commitment to excellence in cricket and community engagement, with prominent figures from various sectors expressing their support for the initiative.

With an estimated budget of £70,000 and an anticipated audience of 5,000 spectators, Maya T10 Cricket Tournament promises to be a celebration of sportsmanship, culture, and camaraderie, embodying the spirit of unity within the Nepali community.

London, 13 May 2024 — The launch of Sangita Swechcha’s novel, ‘Seto Siundo,’ took place in London on 11 May Organised by the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) and held in conjunction
with the 87th Parijaat Jayanti celebration, the event marked a significant moment.

Dr. Birendra Amatya, chief guest of the occasion, graced the event with his presence, adding
prestige to the relaunch. During the programme, attendees were treated to insightful
reviews of ‘Seto Siundo’ by Writer Dr. Rupak Shrestha and Author Pratima KC.

Author Pratima KC praised the novel’s depth and maturity, remarking, “The novel has
minutely navigated the mind of a woman, her pain and sufferings. It successfully raised the
issue of women trafficking in Nepal. The novel which also showed the socio-economic
imbalances also explored how disabilities can cripple a life in society. This novel which was
written during Sangita Swechcha’s teen age is mature at every angle and Nepali literature
can be proud of this novel.”

Dr. Rupak Shrestha echoed similar sentiments, expressing his admiration for Swechcha’s
remarkable achievement three decades ago. “I am still amazed how could an 18-year-old
teenager back then imagine of this novel. This novel’s maturity is far ahead of a teenager
could write as it highlights women trafficking, socio-economic life of Nepali society and
women’s psychology.”

Sangita Swechcha, the author behind ‘Seto Siundo,’ shared her gratitude for the opportunity
to reintroduce her novel which was published 3 decades ago entitled as ‘Pakhalieko Siundo’.
She also thanked INLS for shining a spotlight on her work once again.

Published by Book Hill, ‘Seto Siundo’ is currently undergoing translation into English,
promising to reach an even wider audience.

London— In a heartfelt initiative to bolster education in rural Nepal, the Lamichhane Foundation, spearheaded by London-based Nepalese-British entrepreneur and philanthropist, Rabindra Jung Lamichane, distributed annual educational materials to 150 students at Sri Nava Jagrit Secondary School in Tilahar, Parbat.

With a mission to enhance access to quality education for children in remote areas and contribute to community development, Lamichhane’s foundation embarked on this endeavor to provide essential educational resources to students, ensuring they have the tools needed to excel academically.

Rabindra Jung Lamichhane, the CEO of the renowned fashion brand Gini London, initiated this noble cause, recognizing the importance of education as a catalyst for social progress and empowerment.

This altruistic gesture reflects Lamichhane’s dedication to giving back to his roots and making a positive impact on the lives of underprivileged children in Nepal. By supporting education, Lamichhane aims to create opportunities for a brighter future for these young minds.

In addition to his philanthropic endeavors in education, Lamichhane has also demonstrated his commitment to fostering cultural exchange and sports diplomacy. Recently, he extended his support to promote a friendly match between Nepal and England at Aldershot FC, showcasing his dedication to strengthening ties between the two nations.

Lamichhane’s multifaceted efforts underscore his unwavering commitment to social responsibility and community welfare, serving as an inspiration for others to contribute to meaningful causes and make a difference in the world.