Dipak is Nepalese born but now he and his Nepalese wife are Canadian citizens. He’s a researcher based with a university in the US looking at commercial bees here in Nepal. Like many well educated young people here, he sought postgraduate studies overseas and stayed. This results in a huge loss of talent to Nepal because the job opportunities are limited. Fortunately he’s come back here to do his research that may benifit his country. He and his brothers also play a part in organising volunteers and other useful things, which is great to see. He’s offered to show me around some of the research centers where his research is happening. He dispairs that Nepal has these government run research centers but little research is being done and when it is, it’s not being disseminated to relevant end users. We visit a research Centre near the botanical gardens on the edge of Kathmandu. There are things happening here and on display. It’s peaceful and he can help with explaining the trees and birds and of course insects. This is a valuable opportunity for me. I love this stuff. We visit a fisheries department research Centre with many dried-out ponds and no fish in the water-filled ones. Sad.
The trip on his bike takes us past huge multistory housing developments that are now deserted since the earthquake. Thes tall structures would rival any high rise in Australia but now they have visible cracks in them that workers are busily pasting over. Dipak explains that owners paid up to $80000 US for a two bedroom apartment here but now are rendered worthless. People don’t want to live in these structures now and who could blame them. One of them has an obvious lean! But they didn’t collapse.
We stop by a Hidu temple where young guys are swimming clothed in the holy water. We ride through a Hindu street parade where there’s music, dancing and traditional dress. Dipak explains that different ethnic groups celebrat different parts of the Hindu culture in different ways. It’s a nice atmosphere.
The streets are so dusty and my eyes get their fill of grit from the back of the bike. It’s still very hazy but the sunset looks spectacular. On the surrounding mountains, giant spiritual icons are visible through the haze. There’s a giant Buddha in one place and a Hindu temple in another. It’s been another great day.
angusmccoll 