Shaurab Lohani

Nothing rocked this nation in centuries than the relentless tweets and status updates after the earthquake of 25 th April, 2015. Being persistent in either convincing or conveying the world of either “we are fine” or “how hard mother nature is hammering Nepal with unremitting aftershocks” has created such a huge buzz in the social media and news media that the consequences of our own actions are seeming to be looming in the Nepalese skies. I was shocked, dazed and in chaos as well with every possible mixed feeling after looking one of my tweets still being re-tweeted, the tweets posted at the initial days of the quake. Really! I took a moment of my own and thought of million Nepalese people who tweeted emotionally and let me think even my friends who never updated their facebook status were updating every seconds. It’s just my perception but what I believe there is still someone somewhere reading stale tweets or the links that we shared on the early days of the quake and cancell...

The #GoHome movement was phenomenal that even I couldn't sway my hands away from making twitter posts, people rose from every corner of the country and world to show the rest of the world that Nepalese will not remain hushed for every misrepresentation Indian media imposed. This was on the very initial days of the earthquake and as an after earthquake social activist I had a hunch that it wouldn't be long before Nepalese get back on their feet and continue doing their chores.  #Stillnepal #Stillsmining is amongst the campaigns with a positive lead to my hunch. These campaigns invite travelers who have been stationed or landed in Nepal post quake, intended to boost post Earthquake confidence for travellers willing to trot in this beautiful country. These are the signs that we are up, moving and are not frowning for what we had no control of. The request to the entire world is to “Participate in the Recovery of Tourism in Nepal” and there are many ways to do so. As an owne...

There is no as such as best time of the year to visit Nepal but there are certain things that one wishes to do in the country which is available only at certain times of the year. Let’s not brag about the fact that it can be visited year around like an entrepreneur who would convey couple of lies to get guests to visit the country at anytime of the year and stick to the ground reality. The best is either before the monsoon which is spring or after the monsoon which is fall. My favorite is the month where I can go around places on half sleeve. Why do people talk a lot about visiting Nepal in these seasons? Let me break it down although it may not be a new thing for a lot of you folks reading this blog. The primary reason behind tourist flocking in Nepal in the months of March – May which I have already mentioned as spring season and September - December which is fall season is for the clear views of one of the tallest peaks even from distant hill stations. Primary reasons also...

When friends and strangers ask me why travel Nepal after earthquake and the devastation? I answer their question with another question “Why not travel to Nepal?” Something I  don't  understand is why people think that if a country is hit by any natural disaster it would completely halt the  country's  daily chores and sob about what has been left behind by the catastrophe. It has been more than two months now and it is people’s nature to be constructive and positive and look for what lies ahead and not what was left behind. The shops are open, the hotels, restaurants and recreation centers have come under operations and I have been to a theatre on the 8 th floor to watch avengers with my friends and still alive. I can sense the enthusiasm in the air in the old souks, see the people walking in the narrow  alleys  and even the children going to schools and being frolic. Yes there are obviously scars left from the quake that s...

Chinese tourists expected to return to Nepal in Aug Chinese tour operators at Nepal Tourism Board on Friday.  Photographer: photo courtesy: NTB KATHMANDU, JUL 11 - “You go first, and we’ll follow.” This is what Chinese travellers say to tour and travel operators selling Nepal packages. Although, the Chinese government has not restricted its citizens from travelling to Nepal, potential visitors from the northern neighbour expect assurances from their tour organizers that it is safe to visit, a group of Chinese tour operators said Friday. Currently, nine tour operators from China are on a Nepal visit. This is the first batch of tour and travel operators to visit Nepal after the April 25 earthquake. The operators said that Chinese travellers were likely to resume Nepal tours from August. “Initially after the earthquake, we were under the impression that everything had been destroyed, but we see that except for a few places, all are intact,” said Li...